Pope apologises for clerical child sex abuse

The Pope has apologised for the behaviour of Irish priests who sexually abused children and then had their actions covered up.

He met with Cardinal Sean Brady and Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin at the Vatican for talks today.

It follows last month's damning report about archbishops in Dublin who had routinely hidden abuse for decades.

Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said the Pontiff was deeply disturbed by the revelations.