Pope Benedict XVI is distraught by news of a scandal involving allegations of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church in Germany , Germany 's highest-ranking Catholic said Friday . Pope distraught by Church sex abuse scandal , Vatican City 's top Catholic says . Benedict XVI discussed scandal with Pope . about 170 people have reported cases of sexual abuse by Catholic priests . Benedict XVI encourages Catholic leaders in Germany to continue investigating allegations .
Pope distraught by Church sex abuse scandal , Vatican City 's top Catholic says . Benedict XVI discussed scandal with Pope . about 170 people have reported cases of sexual abuse by Catholic priests . Benedict XVI encourages Catholic leaders in Germany to continue investigating allegations .