Pope Benedict XVI met privately with a group of victims of clergy sex abuse on Thursday, the third day of his US trip. The unannounced meeting took place in the chapel of the papal embassy. Earlier in the day, Pope Benedict discussed the impact the scandal has had on the Catholic Church.

Pope Benedict XVI: “I acknowledge the pain which the Church in America has experienced as a result of the sexual abuse of minors. No words of mine could describe the pain and harm inflicted by such abuse. It is important that those who have suffered be given loving, personal attention. Nor can I adequately describe the damage that has occurred within the community of the Church.”