VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis named his first batch of cardinals early this week, choosing 19 men from around the world, including the developing nations of Haiti and Burkina Faso, in line with his belief the church must pay more attention to the poor.

But advocates for victims of sex abuse by Catholic clergy said they felt let down that Francis didn’t unequivocally embrace their calls that prelates who hadn’t made a clean break with past practices of covering up pedophile behavior never be promoted.

Francis read out the 19 names to a crowd of tens of thousands in St. Peter’s Square.