Pope said "ashamed, outraged" by Irish sexual abuse

VATICAN CITY Dec 11 (Reuters) - Pope Benedict shares the "outrage, betrayal and shame" felt by the Irish people over a government report that said Church leaders covered up widespread sexual abuse of children for 30 years, the Vatican said on Friday.

In a statement issued after the Pope held a meeting with top Irish Church leaders, the Vatican also said the pope was "disturbed and distressed" by the contents of the report. He will write a pastoral letter to the Irish people about sexual abuse in Ireland and the Vatican's response to the crisis.