The Vatican is putting together a legal defense to shield Pope Benedict from a sex abuse lawsuit in the U.S.

Kentucky lawsuit is seeking to question the Pope under oath over claims he failed to report cases of sex abuse.

Vatican lawyers say will try to dismiss the suit, saying the Pope has immunity as head of state.

They will also argue the American bishops who were in charge of the abusive priest were not employed by the Pope.

Pope Benedict didn't mention the sex scandals during his weekly Vatican address Wednesday.

He did, however, call on all priests to conform more closely with Christ's message of hope, reconciliation and peace.