“Canadian political and religious authorities may continue to cooperate with determination to shed light on that sad situation and to commit themselves humbly to a path of reconciliation and healing,” Pope Francis said.

The cardinal’s decision comes at a time when there is a major crisis in the other large German diocese of Cologne linked to the abuse scandal and pastoral management of the archdiocese.

Archbishop Roche has served Pope Francis well under two very different prefects at the congregation for divine worship.

While May 24 has been celebrated with prayer for and with the church in China every year since 2008, Francis’ message on Sunday comes at the end of a week in which a number of troubling news reports reached the Vatican.

Pope Francis identified three suggestions that are typical of the Holy Spirit: Live in the present. Look to the whole. Put God before yourself.

The pope‘s aim is to involve the whole church at diocesan, national and continental levels through a process of “listening and discernment” on the important theme of synodality.