Pope John Paul II has prayed at a shrine to the Virgin Mary for her to protect children.
"Cover children with the mantle of your protection, lest they be scandalised," he said in a prayer he composed himself to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the consecration of the Kalwaria Zebrzydowska shrine in Poland.
His prayer comes as the Vatican grapples with a child sex abuse scandal within the Catholic Church.
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At the World Youth Day in Canada last month the pope said the "harm done by some priests and religious to the young and vulnerable fills us all with a deep sense of sadness and shame," but urged Catholics not to be discouraged by the failings of some priests.
In the same prayer, he also gave his clearest indication so far that he does not intend to resign but will serve as pontiff until his death.
"Most Holy Mother, Our Lady of Calvary, obtain also for me strength in body and spirit, that I may carry out to the end the mission given me by the Risen Lord," he said.