Spanish police arrests 4 priests in pedophile probe after alleged victim contacted Vatican

MADRID – Spain's interior minister says four priests have been arrested on suspicion of child sex abuse.

Jorge Fernandez Diaz said police made the arrests Monday in the southern city of Granada.

Police have been investigating possible cases of pedophilia involving priests since an alleged victim wrote to Pope Francis recently.

Spanish newspapers have reported that the pope contacted the victim by phone. But Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi refused to confirm or deny the pope had made the call, citing Vatican policy not to comment on the pope's "personal and pastoral" initiatives.

The office of bishops in Granada said last week that it suspended several priests from service at their parishes after the complaint was sent to the Vatican. The abuses are suspected to have taken place about 10 years ago.