The pope “has ordered his suspension from the exercise of any public ministry, together with the obligation to remain in a house yet to be indicated to him, for a life of prayer and penance until the accusations made against him are examined in a regular canonical trial,” the Vatican and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops announced today.

Pope Francis prays for peace with Christian leaders.

“Before the challenges of contemporary movements of migration, the only reasonable response is one of solidarity and mercy,” Pope Francis said as he celebrated Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on July 6 for migrants and refugees.

Pope Francis has appointed Paolo Ruffini, 61, an Italian layperson with wide experience in print, radio and television, as the new Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication.

Pope Francis celebrated Mass for the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul with 14 new cardinals and gifted 27 new archbishops their palliums to bring home to their respective archdioceses.

Pope Francis used strong words that can be read both as an admonition and guidance for the entire college of cardinals.

Francis vowed decades ago not to watch TV, but he still follows how Argentina is faring in the World Cup.

Their conversation was the longest between the pope and a head of state since Francis’ meeting with President Obama in 2014.

It is the first time that a Vatican official has been condemned for such a crime.

“Walking, praying and working together: This is the great path that we are called to follow.”