Benedict will begin a six-day trip to the United States Tuesday in Washington.

O'Malley, who will accompany the pontiff at many appearances during his trip, has joined other U.S. bishops in calling on the pope to talk about the abuse scandal, The Boston Globe reported Monday.

In discussions with the pope's ambassador to the United States, the prelate expressed the importance of the pope broaching the sensitive subject.

"We certainly tried to make it very clear to the nuncio that the bishops are expecting the (pope) to address the abuse crisis, and the nuncio assured us that he was confident that he would," O'Malley said.

O'Malley said he would like to hear the pope "express sorrow and regret to those who have suffered and to their families," and also to hear the pope outline the church's efforts to prevent further abuse.

The pope may also meet with some abuse survivors as a part of his visit, the newspaper said.