Pope Benedict XVI will not bow to "media pressure" to meet with victims of paedophile priests, the Vatican spokesman said today, while not ruling out such a meeting this weekend in Malta.

Such meetings have "always taken place in an atmosphere of contemplation and discretion" and the pontiff does not want to hold any "under media pressure, with little opportunity to listen," Federico Lombardi told a news conference.

"The Pope has already said he was prepared to meet (abuse victims) as he has done in the past," in the United States and Australia in 2008, Lombardi told the Vatican press corps.

Eleven Maltese victims of predator priests yesterday asked for a meeting with the Pope, who will visit Malta on Saturday and Sunday.

No such encounter is on the Pope's "already very tight" programme for the visit, Lombardi said, while adding that he would neither announce one nor rule one out.

"Obviously the Pope meets whomever he wants, it depends on the circumstances, but don't hold out great hopes" of a meeting with victims in Malta, Lombardi told the news conference.

Meanwhile, Italian news agency Ansa, also quoting Lombardi, said that while no meetings are on the Pope’s official agenda, he is 'likely to visit with victims privately' in a climate of prayer and reflection.