Pope Francis, Cardinal Marc Ouellet and an official Vatican statement seem to be laying the groundwork for an admission that mistakes were made in handling allegations that Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick engaged in sexual misconduct and even abuse.

At a Vatican briefing on Oct. 8, Archbishop Scicluna reminded reporters that “the synod is not about the abuse of minors, it has to deal with many other questions, too.”

Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for bishops, writes that with “necessary permission” of Pope Francis, he now gives “my personal testimony as prefect of the congregation of bishops, about the matters regarding the emeritus archbishop of Washington, Theodore McCarrick.”

The Vatican has issued a first or interim response to the accusations leveled against the pope and senior Vatican officials for their response to allegations against Archbishop Theodore McCarrick.

A California man who says he was sexually abused by a priest decades ago is suing the Vatican, seeking the release of the names of all offenders within the church worldwide.

The most powerful speeches were given by synod fathers from countries that produce migrants due to situations of war or poverty.