Pope Benedict has commented publicly for the first time on his meeting last Sunday with Maltese victims of abuse by the clergy, saying he had 'shared their suffering' and he had assured them of Church action.

Pope Benedict made his comment during his weekly public audience in Rome this morning.

The Pope met the Maltese men for some 30 minutes at the Apostolic Nunciature after his Mass on the granaries. The victims later said it had been a 'healing experience'. The Holy See said it was a 'moving' meeting.

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