Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com). Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it exclusively produces is in the public domain. April 15, 2008 Pope en Route to US, Expresses Deep Shame Over Clergy Sex Abuse Scandal ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1BE4784:A6F02AD83191E16097B4D93619414FF42A201403E89ED254& Pontiff tells reporters Catholic Church will do everything it can to make sure there is no repeat of scandal Pope Benedict XVI waves to photographers before leaving Fiumicino Airport, 15 Apr 2008Pope Benedict XVI is flying to Washington Tuesday and says he is "deeply ashamed" of the clergy sex abuse scandal that hit the U.S. Roman Catholic Church. The pope made the comments to reporters aboard the Alitalia airliner taking him to the United States for his first visit since he was elected pontiff. He also said the church would do everything it could to make sure there was no repeat of the scandal. He said the Catholic Church will exclude pedophiles. President Bush and his wife, Laura, will greet the pontiff when he lands at Andrews Air Force Base, just outside Washington (expected at 2000 UTC). An official welcoming ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday at the White House. The U.S. clergy sex abuse scandal led to a series of lawsuits that have cost the church millions of dollars. During the pontiff's six-day U.S. visit, he is scheduled to celebrate open-air Masses in Washington and New York. He will also address leaders of Catholic colleges, meet representatives from other religions, and pray at the site where the World Trade Center towers stood before the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. On Friday, Pope Benedict will address the United Nations. While in the U.S., the pope will mark two personal milestones. His 81st birthday is Wednesday. Saturday marks the third anniversary of his election as pontiff. Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters. .