Pope defends decision to keep French cardinal after cover-up
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Pope Francis has defended his decision to reject French Cardinal Philippe Barbarin's resignation after he was convicted of covering up for a predator priest, saying the appeals process must run its course before a final decision is made.
Francis also explained why he rejected proposals by U.S. bishops to respond to the sex abuse scandal there, saying they neglected the spiritual dimension required for a true reform.
Francis referred to both cases during an in-flight news conference en route home Sunday from Morocco.
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Francis' papacy has been thrown into turmoil by the eruption of the scandal on multiple continents and his own handling of cases. Currently, two of his cardinals — Barbarin and Australian Cardinal George Pell — have criminal abuse-related convictions hanging over them, though both are appealing.