Pope Benedict said that pregnant women facing difficulties due to their personal circumstances or to health issues of the fetus can be misled by doctors or people close to them into believing that abortion is the best solution.

And those who have undergone abortions often find themselves beset by serious psychological and spiritual problems from the "deep wound" that is the consequence of actions that "betray the innate vocation for human good," the pope said.

Pope Benedict made his remarks at a Feb. 26 audience with members of the Pontifical Academy for Life.

The pope said doctors are called upon to defend against those who "mislead" many women into "believing that abortion will be the answer to family, economic or social difficulties."