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Benedict echoed a similar apology made during his first visit to the United States as pope this year, The New York Times reported.

I would like to pause to acknowledge the shame which we have all felt as a result of the sexual abuse of minors by some clergy and religious in this country, he said. These misdeeds, which constitute so grave a betrayal of trust, deserve unequivocal condemnation. They have caused great pain and have damaged the Church's witness.

Benedict is in Australia for World Youth Day, a gathering of thousands of young Catholics from all over the world. His activities have ranged from celebrating a large outdoor mass to meeting religious leaders from other faiths.

At St. Mary's Cathedral, the pope addressed a group that included many seminarians in training for the priesthood and novices preparing for the monastic life.

The issue of sexual abuse is a sensitive one in Australia. Anthony Foster, whose young daughters were sexually assaulted by a Melbourne priest 20 years ago, said he was disappointed and called the pope's apology only words.

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