Sydney Catholic Archbishop George Pell has left the door open for the Pope to apologise to Australians who have been sexually and physically abused by Catholic clergy.
Cardinal Pell said would support an apology from Pope Benedict XVI when he visits Australia for World Youth Day (WYD) next month, but is not expecting him to do so.
The Pope apologised to American abuse victims on a visit there in April.
"I'm not expecting him to make any dramatic statements. He is a wonderful teacher and he will give Catholics here plenty to think about," Cardinal Pell said in an interview with Sky News.
"Certainly, there's plenty for which we're not proud.
"We faced up to it, I think, pretty well for quite some time now.
"I think it would be appropriate for the Pope to say something on that score."
Cardinal Pell also defended the World Youth Day event which, he said, would attract more than 200,000 pilgrims from overseas and Australia.
The six-day event has been criticised by Sydney's atheist, gay and environmental communities, as well as the Greens, who say taxpayers should not foot the bill.
Cardinal Pell said taxpayers were not bearing most of the financial burden, with half of the estimated $150 million cost coming from pilgrim registrations.
The federal government will provide $35 million, the Sydney archdiocese $20 million and individual donors and corporate sponsors $15 million, he said.
The NSW government will provide $86 million for services and amenities.
"The whole of Australia will gain and particularly the City of Sydney, so it's a good financial investment for government," he said.
"The Sydney residents ... will be direct winners."
Cardinal Pell said about 134,000 pilgrims had already been registered and between 60,000 and 90,000 additional registrations were being processed.
He said about 120,000 pilgrims from overseas were expected to register along with up to 100,000 young Australians.
