World Bulletin / News Desk

Pope Francis publicly said the word "Rohingya" for the first time when he met Rohingya refugees in the capital Dhaka on the second day of his visit to Bangladesh.

During his visit to Myanmar earlier this week, he never mentioned the word “Rohingya,” an omission that drew fire from human rights groups.

According to BBCbangla, after meeting with 18 Rohingya Muslims who came to Dhaka from refugee camps, Francis said, "Today the presence of God is in the midst of the Rohingya."

During this time, he said he apologized on behalf of those who tortured you.

“We've realized that your sufferings are very deep. We all want peace. We are working to establish peace,” Francis said after meeting with Rohingya as quoted local UNB news.

A special prayer for the Rohingya was also held in a church following the meeting.

The IOM, the UN migration agency, worked with community leaders in the refugee settlements to identify a group to represent the Rohingya in a meeting with the pontiff, according to the IOM.

Caritas, a confederation of Catholic relief organizations, organized the group’s travel to Dhaka as well as their meeting with Francis.