SYDNEY, July 16, 2008 (AFP) - Pope Benedict XVI's spokesman late Wednesday raised doubts over whether the pontiff would offer a full and unreserved apology for sexual abuse by clergymen during his visit to Australia.

The contradictory signal came just three days after the pontiff himself, during his flight to Sydney where he is presiding over World Youth Day festivities, said he would apologise.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, said the pope had not given a commitment he would apologise to the victims of priestly sex abuse and may simply refer to the issue in a 'statement'.

'I draw your attention to the term 'apology' that journalists are using,' Lombardi said in Italian during a press conference.

'The pope in the plane (to Australia) spoke of the problems of sexual abuse but I don't think he said he would apologise and I advise you to listen to what the pope says' when he raises the issue, Lombardi said, without elaborating.

The pontiff was however clear on Sunday when he told journalists in English that he would examine how the church can 'prevent, heal and reconcile' the past crimes of the clergy.

'This is the essential content of what we will say as we apologise,' the pope had said.

Lombardi, who speaks limited English, said the pope would likely speak about sex abuse in the church during a meeting with bishops and Australian novices on Saturday.

It was in the same forum that the head of the Catholic church earlier this year apologised for the scourge during a visit to the United States.

The doubts raised by Lombardi's comments are likely to fuel criticism of the church following fresh revelations of its handling of Australian sex abuse cases were made on the eve of the start of World Youth Day.