By Victor L Simpson WASHINGTON -- Pope Benedict XVI prayed with tearful victims of clergy sex abuse in a chapel Thursday, an extraordinary gesture from a pontiff who has made atoning for the great shame of the U.S. church the cornerstone of his first papal trip to America.

The Vatican calls Osama bin Laden's claim that Pope Benedict XVI is engaged in a crusade against Muslims baseless. Bin Laden made the charge in an audio recording posted on an Islamist Web site. He linked the pope to Danish cartoons published two years ago.

A German man tried to jump into Pope Benedict XVI's uncovered popemobile as the pontiff began his general audience Wednesday and held onto it for a few seconds before being wrestled to the ground by security officers.

By VICTOR L. SIMPSON By VICTOR L. SIMPSON The Associated Press SAO PAULO, Brazil - Pope Benedict XVI caused such a stir with his comments on the excommunication of lawmakers who vote in favor of legalizing abortion that the Vatican released a transcript Thursday changing what he said .

By Victor L. Simpson, Associated Press SAO PAULO, Brazil -- Pope Benedict XVI caused such a stir with his comments on the excommunication of lawmakers who vote in favor of legalizing abortion that the Vatican released a transcript Thursday changing what he said.