WASHINGTON - Pope Benedict XVI began the first full day of his U.S. visit being serenaded by thousands of spectators at the White House and ended it with a sweeping speech to the nation's bishops in which he admitted the sex abuse scandal was "very badly handled." With Washington in a celebratory mood, President George W. Bush invited the pope -- just the second pontiff to visit the White House -- for an elaborate ceremony on the South Lawn and then the two leaders privately discussed issues ranging from immigration to the Middle East. Thousands filled the streets of downtown Washington as Benedict shuttled between events in the popemobile. Much attention was focused on the pope's highly anticipated speech to 350 American bishops Wednesday evening. Echoing introductory remarks by Cardinal Francis George, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Benedict said the sex scandal was "at times very badly handled. "It is your God-given responsibility as pastors to bind up the wounds caused by every breach of trust, to foster healing, to promote reconciliations and to reach out with loving concern to those so seriously wronged," Benedict told the bishops at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.
Papal observers said the pope, who said Tuesday that he was "deeply ashamed" by the abuse scandal, was trying to tackle head-on the most important issue facing the American church.
"This is the first time there has been a public acknowledgment by a pope that sometimes the bishops handled the sex abuse scandal very poorly. ... This is a mea culpa by the church," said the Rev. Thomas Reese, a Jesuit priest and author of books on the Vatican.
Benedict did not directly address the conduct of some bishops accused of sheltering pedophile priests from scrutiny, nor did he propose concrete steps for reform. The speech was "a middle way" that likely will not satisfy all lay Catholics and abuse victims, said Stephen Pope, a professor of moral theology at Boston College.
"The issue that hasn't been dealt with here is that of accountability," Pope said.
The pope's remarks came in the middle of a long address Wednesday evening on topics ranging from declining marriage rates to the faltering numbers of priests.
Bishop William Murphy of the Diocese of Rockville Centre did not attend the speech -- nor any other events in Washington -- because his sister was seriously ill in Boston, said Diocese spokesman Sean Dolan. Murphy is expected to be at papal events in New York on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Dolan said.
Earlier in the day, Benedict largely steered clear of controversy, and Washington turned out in force to welcome him to the United States.
As the popemobile carried Benedict through the streets, throngs of people transformed downtown Washington into a church of sorts on a bright clear spring morning. Many sat in circles and played religious songs while others strained their necks, hoping for a glimpse of the pontiff.
Teresa Glover, 44, of Fairfax, Va., took the day off work to stand on Pennsylvania Avenue and watch the procession. She had seen John Paul II once as a teenager, but "honestly, I didn't appreciate it," Glover said, clutching a prayer bracelet she hoped the pope would bless. "That's why I definitely wanted to be here for this."
On the South Lawn, 13,500 spectators attended an elaborate ceremony for the pontiff that included a rendition of the Lord's Prayer by soprano Kathleen Battle and a 21-gun salute. Later, the crowd spontaneously sang "Happy Birthday" to the pope.
In a short address, Benedict called on Americans to use their great wealth to help the poor and create "a more humane and free society."
"Freedom is not only a gift, but also a summons to personal responsibility," the pope said, as Bush looked on.
Bush praised the moral leadership of Benedict, who has emphasized the threat relativism poses to the church in the modern world.
"In a world where some no longer believe that we can distinguish between simple right and wrong, we need your message to reject this 'dictatorship of relativism,' and embrace a culture of justice and truth," Bush said.
Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford), who had led the congressional delegation to watch Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger ascend to the papacy in 2005, said yesterday's ceremony was "very moving, very significant. It was a feeling of being present at a very historic moment."
Bush and Benedict met in the Oval Office and discussed a host of issues, including immigration and conflicts in the Middle East. Afterward, the White House and the Vatican released a joint statement calling for a coordinated immigration policy, specifically addressing the pope's long-held concern for the "humane treatment and well-being" of immigrant families.
The pope and Bush also "expressed hope for an end to violence and for a prompt and comprehensive solution to the crises" in the Middle East, the statement said, omitting any reference to the pope's opposition to the Iraq war.
Staff writers JENNIFER MALONEY, BART JONES, JENNIFER BARRIOS, KRISTEN DAUM and MICHAEL AMON, Washington bureau chief CRAIG GORDON contributed to this story. It was written by AMON.
Pope Benedict XVI acknowledges the crowd upon his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, April 15, 2008.
Pope Benedict XVI began his visit to the United States on Tuesday. In an unprecedented gesture, he was greeted by President George W. Bush, Laura Bush and their daughter Jenna, upon his arrival at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.

Today, which is also the Pope's 81st birthday, Benedict XVI visited the White House and more than 9,000 people with tickets were there to see him speak. This makes it "one of the largest arrival ceremonies ever held at the White House," according to White House Press Secretary Dana Perino. An estimated additional 4,000 people without tickets lined the streets.
Benedict XVI addresses the gathered crowd today at the South Lawn.
The Pope was given a 21-gun salute and greeted by President Bush on the South Lawn of the White House. Benedict XVI addressed the crowd in a short speech. He appealed for support "for the patient efforts of international diplomacy to resolve conflicts and promote progress."

He further said, "As the nation faces the increasingly complex political and ethical issues of our time, I am confident that the American people will find in their religious beliefs a precious source of insight and an inspiration to pursue reasoned, responsible and respectful dialogue in the effort to build a more humane and free society." Benedict said he has "great respect for this vast pluralistic society" and ended his speech with "God bless America."

Kevin Waymel, 26, travelled from San Francisco with 80 others to see the Pope. He told ''The Guardian'' that he had "come to show support for the Holy Father," and credited his faith for getting him off drugs.
Laura Bush present a birthday cake to Benedict XVI.
Afterwards, inside the White House, the first couple presented the Pope with a birthday cake. In a private meeting with Bush, Benedict XVI brought up his concerns about the Iraq war and the treatment of illegal immigrants in the United States, who may number as many as 20 million. Most of these are from Latin America and therefore overwhelmingly Catholic.

After the meeting, Benedict XVI rode along Pennsylvania Avenue in the popemobile with throngs of people lining the street.

Wednesday evening, the Pope met with US bishops at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. He addressed the bishops about sexual abuse by the clergy, which the Pope has said made him "deeply ashamed." The US Catholic Church has paid out an estimated US$2 billion to settle abuse cases in recent years.

Bendict XVI told the gathered bishops that the sex abuse scandal had at times been mishandled and urged them to reach out to the victims.
Children along Pennsylvania Avenue wait for the popemobile to pass before them.
"It is your God-given responsibility as pastors to bind up the wounds caused by every breach of trust to foster healing, to promote reconciliation and to reach out with loving concern to those so seriously wronged," the Pope said.

Some victims had hoped the Pope would have critcised bishops for transferring pedophile priests from parish to parish. He did not go that far and instead praised training programs for priests and lay people who deal with children. "In this regard your efforts to heal and protect are bearing great fruit not only for those directly under your pastoral care, but for all of society," said Benedict XVI.
Benedict XVI passes the White House in the popemobile
"It's the closest the Pope has come to saying that the bishops didn't do their job right. I think that's quite significant," said the Reverend Thomas J. Reese, a Jesuit priest and author.

Prior to his arrival, hundreds of people were already gathered outside the Basilica as Benedict XVI arrived. "I'm really excited," said an unnamed onlooker to NY1. "It's like a dream, almost. There are, like, other foreign dignitaries, and then there's the pope. It's a unique experience and I can't wait to see him."

During his flight to the United States, Benedict XVI told reporters that he intended to discuss poverty and development aid to poor countries with President Bush. "The United States has to help these countries develop. It is in the interest of everyone, not only these countries but of the world and particularly of the United States," he said.

This is the first Papal visit to the United States by Benedict XVI, and the first visit of a Pope to the U.S. since John Paul II's visit in 1999. The pope scheduled to stay in Washington through Thursday. After that, he will travel to New York City where he plans to address the United Nations, visit the World Trade Center site, and celebrate Mass at Yankee Stadium.