Pope Meets Abuse Victims As Thousands Protest London Visit

Carl Court, AFP / Getty Images

Demonstrators gather in London Saturday for what would become the biggest protest of Pope Benedict XVI in his five-year papacy. The Catholic sex abuse scandal has clouded the pontiff's visit to Britain.

(Sept. 18) -- Pope Benedict XVI met with five victims of priestly child abuse as part of his official trip to Britain, while thousands marched the streets of London in protest against his visit.
Benedict prayed with the victims and said that the Catholic Church is "continuing to implement effective measures to safeguard young people," according to a statement from the Vatican.
"He was moved by what (the victims) had to say and expressed his deep sorrow and shame over what victims and their families had suffered," the Vatican said.
Earlier in the day, Benedict offered one of his strongest apologies for the actions of priests who sexually abused children. Speaking at Mass in Westminster Cathedral, Benedict referred to the priests' actions as "unspeakable crimes."
"I think of the immense suffering caused by the abuse of children, especially within the Church and by her ministers," Benedict said. "I express my deep sorrow to the innocent victims of these unspeakable crimes, along with my hope that the power of Christ's grace, his sacrifice of reconciliation, will bring deep healing and peace to their lives."
In previous visits to Australia and the United States, Benedict has also met with victims and apologized for sexual abuse of children by Catholic priests, The Wall Street Journal said.
The meeting with the victims took place at the Vatican's embassy to the United Kingdom. Bill Kilgallon, chairman of the National Catholic Safeguarding Commission, the church group that organized the meeting, told The Associated Press that the victims might not speak with the media.
On Friday, the pope addressed British dignitaries including former Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Margaret Thatcher in a speech at Westminster, thanking them for the official invitation and praising British political and legal traditions. Prime Minister David Cameron was not present, as he was attending his father's funeral.
Hostility towards Benedict has been strong during this visit. Protesters took to the streets today, denouncing the pope's stance on birth control and the behavior of the Catholic Church in regards to the sexual abuse of children.
Protesters carried signs saying, "The pope is wrong – put a condom on," and "Pope protects pedophile priests." Organizers said they expected about 10,000 people in the march.
The protesters gathered in London's Hyde Park, while a crowd of Catholics rallied outside Westminster Cathedral.
Even before Benedict arrived earlier this week, notable figures such as comedian Stephen Fry and author Philip Pullman said that he should be not be allowed to visit the UK as a head of state, citing the Vatican's positions on birth control, abortion and gay rights.