“Remembering also means being careful,” said Pope Francis on Wednesday, “because these things could happen again, beginning with ideological proposals intended to save a people and ending by destroying a people and humanity.”

The accusations against the 89-year-old Bishop Hart involved 11 victims who were boys at the time of the alleged crimes, and one girl. “These findings do not equate to innocence,” A statement from the diocese of Cheyenne said, “rather, a high burden of proof has not been met.”

The verdict makes Caloia the highest-ranking official so far convicted for financial crimes. However, the ruling shows that Caloia and the Liuzzos were convicted of minor crimes. The general framework of corruption outlined by the Vatican prosecutor suggests an appeal will be argued on grounds the sentences were not consistent with the evidence.

"Under your leadership," Pope Francis wrote, "may the American people continue to draw strength from the lofty political, ethical and religious values that have inspired the nation since its founding." The president of the US bishops conference, Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, echoed those sentiments in a statement on Wednesday, and also reiterated the bishops' opposition to many of the policies and legislative promises Biden has made.

Holy See abandons extradition request for Italian woman thought to have embezzled €575,000 of church funds

Cecilia Marogna faces extradition to the Vatican from Italy for allegedly misappropriating €575,000 from the Holy See

In his Angelus address on Jan. 17, the Day of St Anthony, the pope offered a reflection on Jesus’ first encounter and call of his disciples Andrew and Simon Peter in the Gospel of John

Addressed to the Apostolic Nuncio in Indonesia, Archbishop Piero Pioppo, and signed by the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, the telegram says Pope Francis was "saddened to learn of the tragic loss of life and the destruction of property caused by the violent earthquake in Indonesia," and "expresses his heartfelt solidarity with all those affected by this natural disaster." "He prays for the repose of the deceased," the message goes on to say, "the healing of the injured and the consolation of all who grieve." Pope Francis also offers special and particular encouragement to civil authorities, "and those involved in the continuing search and rescue efforts."

In his message for the 29th World Day of the Sick, released on Jan. 12, Pope Francis argued that vulnerable people were unable to gain access to treatment amid the pandemic, which has claimed the lives of more than 1.9 million people worldwide.

The National Tribunal Service is to be established following a 2019-2020 review chaired by Ian Elliott, which the bishops commissioned into safeguarding practices and processes within the Catholic Church.

In the motu proprio “Spiritus Domini,” issued on Jan. 11, the pope changed canon 230 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law to read: “Lay people who have the age and skills determined by decree of the Episcopal Conference, they can be permanently assumed, through the established liturgical rite, to the ministries of lectors and of acolytes; however this contribution does not give them the right to support or to remuneration by the Church.”

Pope Francis also discussed the increasingly diffuse social tendency to judge persons’ worth on the basis of “productivity” and to discard anyone “unproductive” – especially the sick, the elderly, and the unborn – a tendency he identifies as the chief characteristic of the “throwaway” culture.