An Irish cardinal has acknowledged leadership "failures" in the handling of Ireland's paedophile priest scandal after talks with the Pope.
"There have been failures of course in our leadership, and as one of the victims' daughters said, the only way we will regain that credibility is through our humiliation," said Cardinal Sean Brady, primate of all Ireland.
"Tomorrow is the beginning of Lent, time of penance, and we must begin with ourselves," he told a news conference.
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Explosive government investigations in Ireland revealed that one priest admitted to sexually abusing more than 100 children, while another said he had abused minors on a fortnightly basis over 25 years.
Pope Benedict faulted "the failure of the Irish Church authorities for years to act effectively over cases of sexual abuse against young people," the Vatican said in a statement.
Cardinal Brady led a delegation of Irish bishops at two days of talks with the pope aimed at restoring trust in the Roman Catholic Church over the scandal.
Call for accountability
The bishops have vowed to cooperate with Irish courts investigating sexual abuse charges, the Vatican said.
Condemning what had happened, the pope called child abuse a "heinous crime" and a "grave sin", and said Irish bishops must restore the church's "spiritual and moral credibility".
But an Irish support group has slammed the Vatican talks, saying it wants action rather than words and called on the pope to visit Ireland.
"The Irish people and the victims are entitled to expect firm actions from the pope," said Survivors of Child Abuse group founder John Kelly.
"We are entitled to expect that the pope make those who committed crimes or covered up crimes, including bishops, be made accountable."
