Polish bishops defended St. John Paul II on Friday against evidence that he rejected reports that ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick slept with his seminarians.

President-elect Joe Biden, the second Catholic elected president of the United States, spoke this morning with Pope Francis, the latest world leader to congratulate Mr. Biden even as his opponent refuses to concede the election.

One of Francis’ strengths is his willingness to surprise, to take the unexpected path.

The report shoots down many of Archbishop Vigano’s most explosive claims. But Pope Francis was not exactly proactive in his approach to the ‘allegations and rumors’ surrounding Theodore McCarrick.

"I renew my closeness to all victims of every form of abuse and the church's commitment to eradicate this evil," he said.

Today, the Vatican released an unprecedented, 400-page report on who exactly knew how much about McCarrick’s misconduct and how he was able to rise through the ranks.