Argentine Catholic bishop sentenced for sexual abuse despite pope’s defense

Gustavo Zanchetta convicted by court in a major blow to Pope Francis, who had initially defended the bishop

A court in Argentina has sentenced a Roman Catholic bishop to four and a half years in prison for sexual abuse of two former seminarians in a major blow to Pope Francis, who had initially defended the bishop.

Gustavo Zanchetta, 57, was convicted on Friday of simple, continued and aggravated sexual abuse", with his offense aggravated by his role as a religious minster.