A statement released by the Vatican says Pope Benedict XVI shares the “outrage, betrayal and shame” of the Irish population about the widespread sexual abuse committed by many Irish priests.

Two weeks ago, the Irish government released a report providing details about the abuses committed by some of the country’s Roman Catholic clerics in the past. The report also described how Irish church leaders protected those priests for at least thirty years.

The Vatican said the Pope, who is currently considering talks with the cardinal of the Irish capital Dublin, was shocked and saddened by the content of the report.

Photo of Pope Benedict XVI from Wikimedia Commons