Pope Benedict XVI has said Easter brings a message of pardon, goodness and truth to a suffering world but he has made no mention of the clergy abuse cover-up scandals that are buffeting him and his church.
The Urbi et Orbi Easter message is one of two major speeches the pope gives every year to the general public.
Applause rang out in St. Peter's Square as Benedict concluded a Mass during which a senior cardinal praised him as a courageous leader and dismissed the allegations as petty gossip.
Benedict decried the suffering of Christians in Pakistan and elsewhere because of religious persecution. He also recalled the hardships of earthquake victims in Haiti and Chile and denounced violence emanatingfrom drug trafficking in Latin America.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Buffeted by sex abuse scandals, the Vatican kept up its stiff defense of Pope Benedict XVI Sunday, hailing him at the start of Easter Mass as an unfailing and courageous leader of a flock that takes no heed of "petty gossip."
The tribute by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals, was an unusual departure from Easter ceremony traditions in St. Peter's Square. It underscored the Vatican's determination to defend Benedict from accusations that he was part of a culture of secrecy toward handling sex accusations involving clergy during the time before he became pope.
Benedict looked weary as he listened to Sodano's speech. A canopy on the central steps of St. Peter's Basilica shielded him from light rain.
Sodano said that, despite the rain, the atmosphere should be considered sunny.
"With this spirit today we rally close around you, successor to (St.) Peter, bishop of Rome, the unfailing rock of the Holy church of Christ, to sing with you the Alleluia of Christian faith and hope," Sodano told the pope.
"Holy Father, on your side are the people of God, who do not let themselves be influenced by the petty gossip of the moment, by the trials which sometimes buffet the community of believers."
Tens of thousands of pilgrims, tourists and Romans turned out despite the weather.
Sunday's edition of the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano denounced the accusations against the pope as a "vile defamation operation."
The Vatican has accused the media of fanning the scandal by reporting on cases of priests who raped children and bishops who either didn't report it to police or were obstructed from pursuing church trials by the Vatican.
Benedict hasn't made any explicit reference to the scandal since he released a letter to the Irish faithful concerning the abuse crisis in that country on March 20.
In rushing to Benedict's defense, the Vatican has angered abuse victims and their advocates, as well as Jewish leaders, who fumed after the papal preacher in a Good Friday sermon told the pope that the accusations against him were akin to the campaign of anti-Semitic violence that culminated in the Holocaust.
The preacher, the Rev. Raniero Cantalamessa, told Corriere della Sera daily in an interview Sunday that he had no intention "of hurting the sensibilities of the Jews and of the victims of pedophilia."
"I have sincerely regretted and I ask forgiveness, reaffirming my solidarity with both" lobbies, he was quoted as saying.
Pope Benedict XVI, right, is greeted by Cardinal Angelo Sodano during an Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican
Pope Benedict XVI looks on during an Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, April 4, 2010.
Pope Benedict XVI, right, is hugged by Cardinal Angelo Sodano during an Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican,
A member of the chorus holds a music score during the Easter Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI, Sunday, April 4, 2010.
atican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, right, and Cardinal Angelo Sodano attend the Easter Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's square, at the Vatican,
Pope Benedict XVI is helped as he arrives to the altar to celebrate the Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday,
Pope Benedict XVI bows in front of an icon of Jesus during an Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, April 4, 2010
Pope Benedict XVI looks on as he celebrates the Easter Mass in St. Peter's square, at the Vatican, Sunday, April 4, 2010.
Members of the Italian Armed Forces stand in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican during the Easter Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict XVI, Sunday, April 4, 2010
Pope Benedict XVI, left, flanked by master of ceremonies Bishop Guido Marini arrives in St. Peter's Square to celebrate the Easter Mass at the Vatican, Sunday,
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