InTheNews (United Kingdom)
April 15, 2008
http://www.inthenews.co.uk/news/international-affairs/pope-benedict-heads-us-under-sex-scandal-cloud-$1218902.htm
Pope Benedict XVI has received a special greeting from United States president George Bush as he begins the first visit of his papacy.
The six-day trip will involve visits to the White House and the United Nations.
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| Pope Benedict XVI is due to arrive in the US today |
Pope Benedict, 80, was met by Mr Bush and first lady Laura Bush on the tarmac at Andrews Air Force Base.
During the flight to the US yesterday, the Pope told reporters he was "deeply ashamed" of the sex-scandal that has rocked the US Catholic community, which with an estimated 70 million members is the largest in the world.
Over the last few years the US Catholic Church had been made to pay $2 billion (1 billion) to settle sexual abuse cases.
"I am deeply ashamed and will do whatever is possible so that this does not happen in the future," the Pope said.
"It is more important to have good priests than many priests. We will do everything possible to heal this wound."
Last week a spokesman for Pope Benedict tried to distance the church leader from the scandal claiming that this week's visit to the US would instead focus on religious and moral values.
A recorded message from the Pope also claimed the trip was "to proclaim this great truth: Jesus Christ is hope for men and women of every language, race, culture and social condition".
Pope Benedict will attend an official welcome ceremony at the White House later today.
He is then scheduled to speak before a meeting of US cardinals and bishops before addressing the UN General Assembly on Friday.End of story
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