Pope Benedict XVI “understands” the criticism that he did "too little, too late" in response to the clerical abuse crisis, according to the author of a new book about the Pontiff.

The author, Peter Seewald, a German journalist, was recently granted a series of interviews with Pope Benedict which will form the basis of his next book Licht der Welt, or Light of the World. The book, which is being written in German, will be released on November 24 in 10 languages.

He told Reuters at the Frankfurt Book Fair: “The Pope seemed very understanding of the criticism that he did too little, too late about the sex scandals, but the book certainly sheds new light on the whole issue and debate.”