Pope Francis has announced he will be setting up a special committee to help protect children against sexual abuse within the Catholic Church, according to archbishop of Boston, Cardinal Sean Patrick O'Malley.

The move is the first major step to address the main issue that has hurt the church in recent years. Many people feel the Vatican has not done enough to protect children, and Francis hopes this will help prevent and handle future incidents.

"The Holy Father has decided to establish a specific commission for the protection of children," O'Malley said in a statement, according to Reuters.

Cases against clergy members has forced the church to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation all-over the world, bankrupting many dioceses in the United States.

The mission and who will be involved in the committee has not been decided yet, but it will likely involve improving screening of priests, guidelines for child protection, examining ways to help victims, O'Malley said.

It will also most likely provide mental health care to victims, and to figure out ways to help affected by abuse.

"The commission will be able to advise the Holy Father about the protection of children and pastoral care of victims of abuse," O'Malley said.

The proposal of the committee was first discussed on Dec. 4 and Francis supposedly approved of the suggestion right away when told of it, meaning it could be announced formally at any time.

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