The president of the U.S. bishops said the findings mark “another tragic chapter in the church's long struggle to confront the crimes of sexual abuse by clergy.”

Alex Trebek, a Canadian-born American who was educated in Catholic schools, died of pancreatic cancer at his home on Nov. 8. He was 80.

“We thank God for the blessings of liberty. The American people have spoken in this election,” Archbishop Gomez said, congratulating Biden and Harris on behalf of the U.S. bishops.

Vatican-U.S. relations have grown increasingly strained in recent years, but the election of Joe Biden has prompted hopes for improved diplomatic ties.

AP VoteCast showed 50% of Catholics backing Trump and 49% favoring Biden, reflecting the faith’s longstanding role as a closely contested vote in presidential elections.

The Vatican has imposed sanctions on a prominent Polish cardinal, retired Archbishop Henryk Gulbinowicz, after he was accused of sexually abusing a seminarian and of covering up abuse in another case.