Vatican City, Dec 21 (IANS/AKI) Pope Benedict XVI has said that the Catholic Church has to reflect on how the Christian lifestyle and the Vatican's message may have led to the sexual abuse of children.

The pope said the Church must improve its training of priests to prevent further abuse. He also said the Vatican must understand how to help victims heal.

Benedict spoke to cardinals and bishops who gathered at the Vatican for the traditional Christmas speech. The pope often uses the occasion to speak about important issues facing the Church hierarchy.

"We must ask ourselves what we can to to fix the injustice that has been done. We must ask ourselves was wrong in our message, in the whole way in forming the way of being Christian," he said.

The pope has expressed regret for the abuse of thousands of children over decades that has come to light this year in an international scandal that has rocked the Vatican.
The pope Monday said the scale of abuse reached an "unimaginable dimension".