Well, he's said "sorry", so everything's all right now.
Isn't it?

alan, germany,

it's so sad that there is so much misinformation and hence bigotry regarding the catholic church. The Pope (who is a great man - read some of his stuff on love an you will see what I mean-) is right to apologise. But don't let the failings of a few blind you to the beauty the Catholic Church holds.

michael, harrogate, uk

This is the pope, and not some newly-elected councillor. Is anything good enough? I'm sure an apology delivered in the comfort of your own living room would be preferable...but in the meantime, can't people be grateful for a pretty damn unequivocal apology???

Guido Kools, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

People need to understand that two abuses have occurred.
1) The priest who have sexually abused children and others
2) The bishops who perverted the course of justing and h covered up the crimes by moving the criminal priests from church to church to diocese to diocese.

Peter Cairns, Melbourne, Australia

This whole affair was tragic and has left many lives, and the church itself, badly damaged. Remember, please, that it was the behaviour of a few corrupt individuals which brought this about; men who, by their very actions, removed themselves from the holy mother church.

fred, glasgow,

This truly is a travesty, but I wonder how monetary compensation will affect the lives of those victims. What else can the Pope or other Catholics say? Hopefully, this will end it all.

Jackie Kaiser, Bri, USA

Pope, put your money where your mouth is. If the Catholic Church was actually repentant about the widespread and worldwide abuse, they would make financial restitution with their many billions of dollars hoarded in Rome & not fight their victims in court. Real Christians stop these fakes &hypocrites

Eric, leavenworth, usa

In Germany, if one doesn't pay one's "Church taxes", you get excommunicated.... if you, as a Catholic priest, abuse a child, you stay in, get send to an elderly home for a couple of years and then send back to running a local church, with plenty of children around you (see recent case in Bavaria).

Mario, Bavaria ,

Assuming the claims of Christians that they have a link to a god and believe in some sort of moral universe, no authentic Christian would dream of doing such as thing. So what is the Church doing effectively protecting these frauds and criminals instead of excommunicating them?

David Jones, Loughborough, UK

Where is the next stop of this "World apology tour"?
Same message different country, sorry. The abuses however still go on. Stop protecting these destroyers of innocence!

Peter andrew, Montreal, Canada

It's not just the fact that churches and church run organisations are guilty of so much paedophilia, it's the fact that they try to hide them when they are caught. Why is it that so many of these wierdos are attracted to religious activities?

Pat McCormack, Brisbane, Australia

I forgive you if you mean it sir. But you must SHOW US HOW MUCH you mean it by a) silencing the hatemongers among you (William Donohue, and others who outspokenly try to countermand your message as in the above Bishop's statement) and b) addressing all of the concerns (reparations/adults, etc.).

Billy David Lamb, Riverside, California, USA

Daphne :"How could a genuine RELIGION have so many SEXUAL DEVIANCY in it, running into Millions of CHILDREN"

Because you've been brain-washed by the media, Daphne. They rarely mention (never, with the impartial BBC) that the rate of paedos among priests in less than fathers of families.

Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK

Pity he forgot to apologise for the on-going denial, cover-ups and movement of problem clergy to perpetrate even more misery, sodomy and cruelty on the guillible youth who were being indocrinated into the religious beliefs of their parents before they had the opportunity to form their own outlook.

Reiver, London, UK

How could a genuine RELIGION have so many SEXUAL DEVIANCY in it, running into Millions of CHILDREN who have been exploited by Catholic Priests. How is it people are not suspicious about these organisation who promote these types of criminal behaviour.

Daphne Kenward, Cambridge, UK

That is not true m., TO. A pedaphile is a pedaphile, whether married or single. The pedaphile priest is not acting in accordance with Christ when he abuses someone. The married pedaphile is not acting in accordance with Christ when he abuses someone. Your statement is ridiculous.

maggie, Illinois, USA

Some Bishops have inadequately dealt with dodgy priests (or worse), but that does not mean that the whole Church is totally responsible to the claimants. When someone gets raped we don't expect the rapist's family to pay compensation.

The rate of paedo priests is less than fathers of families.

Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK

if he would allow priests to get married he could eliminate this problem by 99.9 %. very few other Christian clergy that are allowed to marry engage in this kind of abuse. it is about time for reform, not constant apology! GOD looks down and wonders why!

m., TO, canada