Somali pirates hijack Malta-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden

Pirates hijack cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden

Pope promises “church action” against clerical sex abuse during public audience at Vatican

Pope promises action against clerical sex abuse

Skeptics watching whether Malta encounter with abuse victims will be turning point for papacy

Skeptics ask if Malta will be turning point

Tearful pope meets with sex abuse victims, promises ‘effective measures’ to safeguard children

Tearful pope says church will better protect young

Pope meets with sex abuse victims, says church will do all in its power to safeguard children

Pope: church will protect young from abuse

Pope begins pilgrimage in Malta, Catholic nation where sex abuse victims hope to meet him

Pope on pilgrimage in nation hit by sex scandal

Pope begins pilgrimmage in Malta, Catholic nation where sex abuse victims hope to meet him

Pope on pilgrimmage in nation hit by sex scandal

Pope arrives in Malta, where sex abuse victims hope to meet him during brief pilgrimage

Pope arrives in Malta, escapes ash ban

VALLETTA, Malta — Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday began a brief pilgrimage to this heavily Catholic island, saying “our sins” have wounded the church in Malta, where victims of sex abuse by clergy hope to meet with him.

Benedict marks fifth anniversary of papacy marred by mishaps, gaffes, and sex abuse scandal

Pope’s fifth anniversary mired in controversy

Malta trip offers opportunity for pope to meet sex abuse victims as scandal swirls

Pope may meet with abuse victims in Malta

VATICAN CITY — In a key test, Pope Benedict XVI makes his first foreign trip since the clerical sex abuse scandal erupted when he visits heavily Catholic Malta this weekend — and all eyes will be on whether he meets abuse victims as he has said he is prepared to do.

Pope to visit Malta this month, and victims of clerical sex abuse want an apology

Pope visits Malta mid-month, sex abuse cases await