Pope tackles issues of sexual abuse

MARYLAND. Pope Benedict XVI tackled the most painful issue facing the U.S. Catholic Church — clergy sex abuse — on his flight to America. The U.S. church has paid out $2 billion in abuse costs since 1950, most of that in just the last six years.

Seemingly in a nod to his American flock, the pope spoke in English as he answered questions submitted in advance by reporters.

“It is a great suffering for the church in the United States and for the church in general and for me personally that this could happen,” Benedict said.