Juhana Pohjola, a bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland, and Päivi Räsänen, a member of Parliament since 1995 and the nation’s former interior minister (2011-2015), were convicted by the nation’s Supreme Court in a 3-2 decision.

Discussions “focused on victims’ rights, institutional responsibility, justice, and mandatory safeguarding principles grounded in lived experience,” according to the pontifical commission.

According to the pontifical commission, Ending Clergy Abuse called for the “adoption of a universal zero-tolerance canon law on clergy abuse, modelled on existing Vatican-approved norms in the United States.” The pontifical commission, in turn, agreed to continue dialogue on the proposal.

The revised Book VI of the Code of Canon Law, promulgated by Pope Francis in 2021, provides for a range of penalties for clerics who sexually abuse minors, from deprivation of office to dismissal from the clerical state (Canon 1398). Book VI, however, does not permanently bar all clerics who sexually abuse minors from active ministry, as has been the case in the United States since 2002.

The amendment “provides for setting up a government authority to seize properties bought or developed on foreign funds if the government license is canceled or not renewed,” EWTN News reported—thus allowing for the seizure of Church property in some circumstances.

Cardinal Poola called for initiatives such as Eucharistic adoration, the Rosary, and voluntary fasting, as well as the signing of petitions against the legislation.

“This lay movement, which she founded 15 years ago, is now active in 53 countries and promotes prayer gatherings for children in parishes, schools, and orphanages,” the Vatican newspaper reported. Kaufman and her son “presented the Pope with a book containing testimonies from many children who participate in this experience, as well as from priests who host the initiative in their parishes.”

“The Catholic Church opposes this bill in principle and joins with many other people of faith and none in arguing that we should not cross this watershed,” said Archbishop John Sherrington of Liverpool, the conference’s lead bishop for life issues. “I call on all people of goodwill to join me in work and prayer to prevent this flawed bill from succeeding.”

In a telegram of condolence following the death of Cardinal Camillo Ruini, Pope Leo XIV recalled the late prelate as an “experienced and wise brother, strengthened by deep faith, acute intelligence and foresight, who served with discretion and selflessness.”

The three leading prelates of the Episcopal Conference of Colombia met with Pope Leo XIV on June 17, four days before the nation’s presidential runoff election, and said afterwards that the Pontiff “reiterated his love and concern for Colombia, encouraging the Church and society to persevere in the search for peace, unity and reconciliation.”

Pope Leo XIV said that in order to foster an encounter with Christ, physical and virtual spaces within the Church need to be safe from abuse.

Pope Leo XIV lauded the sacredness of Eastern liturgies and decried the effects of war during an audience today with participants in a meeting of members of the Reunion of Aid Agencies for the Oriental Churches (ROACO).

In a divided world, universities should be centers of respectful dialogue, Pope Leo said this morning during an audience with members of the board of governors of Hebrew University of Jerusalem.