Cardinal George Pell, Pope Francis’ chief financial adviser and Australia's most senior Catholic, is the highest-ranking Vatican official to ever be charged in the church’s long-running sexual abuse scandal.

Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory made the comments in the homily at an evening Mass said to commemorate a "Day of Prayer and Penance" for victims of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church.

Church leaders have taken steps to help many find healing as victims of clergy sexual abuse, but there is still work to be done.

Illinois is one of about 35 states that have “revenge laws” that prohibit anyone from publicly disseminating intimate or embarrassing content about others without their consent.

Sister Cathy Cesnik went missing one night in 1969. The case remains unsolved.

Australian police said they were a step closer to deciding whether to charge a top Vatican cardinal over allegations of sexual assault dating back decades.