(CNN) French bishops have announced plans to establish an "independent" commission to look into the sexual abuse of minors within the Catholic Church dating back as far as 1950.

The appointed panel would "seek to understand the reasons which led to the way these cases were handled" by the Church, the Conference of French Bishops said in a statement on Wednesday.

The conference pledged to publish a report outlining the commission's findings within two years. Details, including the name of the person spearheading the investigation, will be announced in the coming days, it added.

The statement came as French bishops held their plenary assembly in the holy French city of Lourdes, where they received a support from Pope Francis, according to Vatican News.

In the message, signed by the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, the Pope encouraged the bishops to "continue to implement a 'zero tolerance' stance against sexual abuse committed by members of the Church."

Read More