Pope Benedict XVI is on a three-day visit to Mexico, his first trip to the country.

The 84-year-old pontiff arrived Friday to address many pressing issues facing Mexico, the world's second most populous Catholic country. On the flight from Rome he talked about violence and drugs in Mexico and the "idolatry of money," which he said was leading youth to crime. He added that the church must do its part and teach the youth moral responsibility.

Many are wondering whether the pope, who leaves for Cuba Monday, will address the scandal of sexual abuse by the late Father Marcial Maciel, which has rocked Mexico and the Vatican. Benedict does not seem to have taken the opportunity to do so.

Maciel founded Mexico's influential Catholic order, the Legionaries of Christ, an extremely powerful body popular amongst the elite and the influential. In 1997 a group of former seminarians alleged that Maciel had physically abused them. The Vatican body responsible for investigating such allegations at the time was headed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Benedict. Despite the complaints, nothing was done. Not only was no action taken against Maciel, but the accusers were ostracized by the powerful Legion for lying.

It was only in 2010, when the evidence could no longer be ignored, that the Vatican denounced Maciel. At this time he was also accused of having had illegitimate children with two women. One of those children later accused the priest of abusing him.

Much has since been said about the Legionaries of Christ and how Maciel's closeness to the inner circle of the Vatican, during John Paul II's papacy allowed him to get away with the crimes.

Now, the issue has come up again. A 73-year-old former seminarian, Jose Barba, has co-written "The Will Not to Know," a book in which he has declared that he too was abused by Maciel. The book was released over the weekend in Leon, where the pope is due to make an address.

The Vatican is once again being criticized for ignoring the victims of Maciel's crimes. In his previous visits to other countries, like United States, Australia and Britain, the pontiff has met sexual abuse victims, but he is unlikely to do so in Mexico. The pope, rather, has made time to meet with victims of Mexico's drug violence, while talking about the evil of drugs and narcotics.

The irony is not lost on Maciel's victims. This would have been a good opportunity for the Benedict to show his support and care for the victims. Having missed this opportunity, this may just become his cross to bear.