Cardinal Cupich expects the summit to clarify “to all that they are not alone in implementing measures and that they have to resolve as a body, as the college of bishops, to own this issue.”

"In the Closet of the Vatican: Power, Homosexuality, Hypocrisy" is a salacious new 571-page book that is expected to be released on the first day of the Vatican’s summit on sexual abuse and the protection of minors.

A sentence of laicization—sometimes referred to colloquially as defrocking—would complete a stunning fall from grace for the former cardinal.

The delegation was in Rome to solicit the support of the Italian government in recognizing Guaido as interim president of Venezuela.

“As long as there is a dictatorship in Venezuela, it is better not to return,” said Alexander. “I feel that there is an illegitimate government, a power that literally controls everything, but also an opposition that has defrauded the people many times.”

Pope Francis will have St. Francis of Assisi on his mind when he visits Abu Dhabi Feb. 3-5 and Morocco in late March.