Pope Francis has insisted he will act against any sex abuse cases within the Roman Catholic Church.

The Pontiff has made his first public statement on the issue since taking up the role. He is asking for "stepped-up measures to protect minors and help those who were subjected to such violence in the past".

He says combating such cases is important "for the Church and its credibility."

The Vatican says it continues to receive around 600 claims against abusive priests every year with many of them dating back to the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

Pope Francis wants the Catholic Church to "act decisively" to root out sexual abuse of children by priests and ensure the perpetrators are punished, the Vatican said on Friday.

The statement said the pope wanted Catholic bishops around the world to promote and put into place "directives in this matter which is so important for the witness of the Church and its credibility".