May 11, 2010. Aboard the papal plane in route to Portugal, Pope Benedict XVI candidly addressed the sex abuse crisis.
The pope linked the crisis with the religious persecution indicated in Fatima’s third secret. He told reporters the clerical abuse scandal represents "the greatest persecution of the church," but said it was born from sins inside the church, not outside.
The pope called the crisis “truly terrifying” and said the Church must seek profound penance, pardon and justice.
This is the pope’s first trip to Portugal since he was elected pope. His four day trip kicked off in Lisbon and ends in the city of Porto May 14th.
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