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Inspiration for “Philomena” meets Pope Francis, says she doesn’t blame Vatican for her ordeal

VATICAN CITY – The Irish woman who inspired the Oscar-nominated film “Philomena,” about a mother forced to give up her son for adoption, says she doesn’t blame the Vatican for her ordeal despite a damning U.N. report holding the Holy See responsible for such practices.

Philomena Lee spoke Thursday after meeting briefly with Pope Francis and screening “Philomena” for Francis’ personal secretary at the Vatican.

Lee was sent to a Catholic church-run workhouse in Ireland after she got pregnant as a teenager in 1952. Her son was sent to the United States to be adopted when he was 3.

On Wednesday, a U.N. human rights committee essentially held the Vatican responsible for forced adoptions, urging it to investigate and compensate victims.

Lee said she didn’t blame the Vatican and praised her papal meeting.

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