There's lots of mixed signals going on in view of Benedict's remarks this morning on the papal plane that he was "deeply ashamed" of what's gone on during the American priestly sex abuse crisis. Even the folks at SNAP — Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests — are of mixed opinions as to whether the pope will actually meet with people victimized by predator priests.

David Clohessy, the national director, thinks Benedict will meet with victims at some point. Chances are they'd be folks already known — and vetted — by the people at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, he said, mentioning a few names for this writer to check out.

If such a meeting happens, the world would only learn about the meeting after the fact.

Barbara Blaine, president of SNAP, says her organization asked the Vatican in January if the pope would meet with victims but their request was ignored.

And even if he, say, sneaks in a meeting at some point during the next six days, "That would not be significant," she added. "We've been looking for the pope and bishops to take some action."

Anyway, rumors abound. He will mention the sex abuse crisis, but where? At Wednesday's meeting with American bishops? Or at Saturday's outing at St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers? Or Saturday morning at St. Patrick's Cathedral?

Meanwhile things are still nuts down at the press center at the Westin. Two of our interns had to have their photos re-shot by the Secret Service and they reported l-o-n-g lines at the SS headquarters downtown, waits of more than two hours and lots of angry journalists. We found Susan Gibbs, the archdiocesan spokesman, who reported that credentials for five of her own staff were missing. She's working 18-hour days and, "I'm in a blur," she said.

— Julia Duin, assistant national editor/religion, The Washington Times