Vatican City - Thousands of priests from around the world have massed in Rome in one of the largest such gatherings ever in a major show of support for Pope Benedict XVI amid the clerical abuse scandal.
Benedict is expected to address them Thursday evening in an eagerly anticipated vigil service in St. Peter's Square. It's not know whether Benedict will refer to the crisis, but his No. 2 told the prelates Wednesday that the scandal had pained and damaged the church and shown the need for a spiritual rebirth.
An estimated 9,000 priests are in Rome to celebrate the end of the church's year of the priest - a year that has been marred by revelations of hundreds of new cases of clerical abuse and Vatican inaction to stop it.
In addressing priests Wednesday, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone said the revelations had harmed the credibility of the church. But he said they had also provided a "providential realization" of the need for a "new season of spiritual renewal and rebirth."
There is some speculation that Benedict may again refer to the scandal, following his recent comments en route to Portugal during which he acknowledged that it was born of the "sin within the church" and not from outside elements. Previously Vatican officials, Vatican publications and cardinals had blamed the scandal on the media, the Masons and anti-Catholic lobbies, among others.
On Wednesday, during his weekly general audience, Benedict urged prayers for the priests gathered for the event, which has taken on something of the feel of a rally in support of the pontiff amid the scandal.
Priests gathering in St. Peter's Square spoke openly about the scandal, saying it was painful to them.
"Well, I think it was really first a matter of pain, of sadness then a bit of shame because in Belgium we had bishops, not priests who had to resign," said Belgian priest the Rev. Jean Pierre Herman.
"The church isn't perfect. Priests are men. Among priests there are those who will become saints, there are good priests and there are criminals as well. So it happens," he said.
Said the Rev. Fernando Cerero from the diocese di Coatzacoalcos in Mexico, "We felt much shame and sadness, but this is an opportunity (for priests) to reflect on our ministry."
"It is an opportunity for holiness," he said.