INTERNACIONAL
Vatican excommunicates breakaway Catholic bishops who defied Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo warns of A.I. dangers in first encyclical
Paul Gigot, Bill McGurn, and Dan Henninger discuss Pope Leo’s first encyclical warning about artificial intelligence. The Pope called for stronger government regulation, citing threats to human dignity.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Pope Leo XIV’s first major showdown with a breakaway Catholic movement ended Thursday with the Vatican declaring the Society of St. Pius X in schism and excommunicating bishops who defied the pontiff by ordaining new bishops without his approval.
The Vatican acted one day after the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) consecrated four new bishops at its seminary in Écône, Switzerland, despite a personal appeal from Leo urging the group to abandon what the Catholic Church called a «schismatic act.»
In a decree released Thursday, the Holy See excommunicated the four newly consecrated bishops as well as the two bishops who took part in the ceremony, declaring the ordinations a schism, or an intentional break from the Catholic Church.
The decision comes after decades of efforts by successive popes to reconcile with the traditionalist movement, which rejects many of the reforms adopted during the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, including allowing Mass to be celebrated in local languages instead of Latin.
POPE LEO PLEADS WITH BREAKAWAY CATHOLIC GROUP NOT TO COMMIT ‘SIN OF EXTREME GRAVITY’
Newly consecrated bishops, from left, Marc Hanappier, Michel Poinsinet de Sivry, Michael Goldade and Pascal Schreiber at the end of their consecration ceremony at the Society of St. Pius X seminary in Econe, Switzerland, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Baz Ratner)
Only the pope has the authority to approve the consecration of Catholic bishops, a practice meant to preserve the Church’s unity and its line of succession from the apostles.
The sanctions also reverse concessions the Vatican had granted the SSPX in recent years as it tried to bring the group back into full communion with Rome. According to the decree, the group can no longer validly administer the sacraments of confession and marriage, and the Vatican urged Catholics attending SSPX Masses to separate themselves from the movement.
Pope Leo XIV waves during the Angelus noon prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter’s Square, at the Vatican, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
The action comes just days after Leo made a rare personal appeal to the group’s leader, the Rev. Davide Pagliarani, urging him to cancel the consecrations.
«I plead with you and ask you with all my heart: please turn back!» the pope wrote in a letter to Pagliarani on Monday, warning the planned ordinations would deepen the decades-old division between Rome and the SSPX.
The dispute is the first major test of Leo’s pontificate. Since becoming pope, the American-born pontiff has emphasized healing divisions within the Catholic Church, including reaching out to conservatives and traditionalists who felt alienated during Pope Francis’ papacy.
POPE LEO SENDS UNMISTAKABLE MESSAGE ON IMMIGRANTS DURING VISIT HONORING AMERICA’S FIRST SAINT
During Wednesday’s consecration ceremony, Pagliarani insisted the ordinations were carried out not in opposition to the pope but in service to the Church.
«We are accused of not respecting the pope,» Pagliarani said. «But it is precisely because we love the pope as the vicar of Christ, as the head of the church, that we don’t want to see the pope humiliated anymore, on the side of false shepherds representing false religions.»
Pope Leo XIV delivers his message as he celebrates a Mass where he confers the pallium on newly appointed metropolitan archbishops, in St. Peter’s Basilica, at the Vatican, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Founded in 1970 by French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, the Society of St. Pius X has long opposed what it considers theological errors introduced by the Second Vatican Council. Lefebvre was excommunicated in 1988 after consecrating four bishops without the approval of Pope John Paul II in a nearly identical confrontation.
Those excommunications were lifted in 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI in an effort to restore dialogue, though the SSPX never returned to full communion with Rome and has remained outside the Church’s formal structure.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Despite that status, the society has continued to grow, reporting hundreds of priests, seminarians and religious members serving followers in dozens of countries, making it one of the largest traditionalist Catholic movements operating outside the Vatican’s authority.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
pope leo xiv, roman catholic, controversies religion, religion us, world
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Speaker Mike Johnson’s plan to bypass Democratic opposition on a key election integrity bill took a major step forward in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
It’s a major victory for Johnson, R-La., who had to overcome a wall of left-wing opposition and threats of a rebellion within his own GOP ranks.
House Republicans are working to move the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act as part of a larger $95 billion budget bill that, if successful, would completely sideline Democrats to implement election reforms sought by President Donald Trump.
They’re using a mechanism called budget reconciliation, which allows the party in power to pass sweeping fiscal policy by lowering the Senate’s threshold for advancement from 60 votes to a simple majority. In exchange, however, the legislation is subject to intense scrutiny under a strict set of guidelines about what actually counts as true fiscal policy.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., talks with reporters in the U.S. Capitol on June 10, 2026. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
The bill up for consideration on Wednesday was just the first House-wide step in passing a reconciliation package, which is adopting a framework with spending instructions for relevant committees who will then cobble individual portions together into a massive piece of legislation. Both the House and Senate must pass identical versions before it goes to the president’s desk.
All but three members of the House Republican Conference supported the measure: Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, and Kevin Kiley, I-Calif., voted against it.
The framework was adopted in a narrow 216 to 214 vote, with all Democrats opposed.
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: HOUSE’S FINAL SPRINT PUTS SAVE AMERICA ACT AND IRAN FUNDING IN PLAY
It comes after fiscal hawks warned for days that they are uneasy with the lack of budget cuts in the framework to offset the $95 billion in new spending.
Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, said he was leaning in support but still undecided.
Donald Trump speaks to members of the media outside the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Monday, April 13, 2026. (Salwan Georges/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
«People wonder why the so-called 3AM caucus exists and why we hold our votes to the last minute to put pressure on Republicans in Congress to deliver? It’s because they revert to the mean — which is spending, amnesty, unlimited immigration and political show votes. I want FULL SAVE. I want this unpaid-for spending to be paid for in the 4th reconciliation bill. I want clarity on our war mission while we are backfilling munitions,» he told Fox News Digital.
TOP TRUMP OFFICIAL MAKES NEW SAVE ACT CASE TO REPUBLICANS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., had told reporters, «I just wanted to let them know if you’re doing a whip count right now, I wouldn’t put me in the yes column…I’m not 100% convinced that the SAVE language is going to be held solid through the Senate. In fact, I would bet against it. I just, I don’t have any confidence that the Senate will keep that language tight.»
Both voted in favor of adopting the framework, however.
With just a razor-thin majority, Johnson could lose no more than than two Republicans to still pass anything on partisan lines.
The budget plans for for $73 billion aimed at the U.S. war with Iran, $12 billion for aid to American farmers, and $10 billion for states to implement election integrity measures in the SAVE America Act — namely federal voter ID rules and a proof of citizenship mandate to register to vote.
U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democrat from New York, speaks before an upcoming House vote on funding for the US Department of Homeland Security, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on March 5, 2026. (Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images)
Democrats and some Republicans have been wary about funding the Iran war without additional oversight from Congress. And Democrats in both the House and Senate have been vehemently opposed to the SAVE America Act, calling it tantamount to voter suppression.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
But Republicans have near-uniformly argued that it is aimed at enhancing confidence in American elections.
Trump posted on Truth Social on Tuesday, «Thank you to all of the House Republicans who are supporting the first step towards getting as much of THE SAVE AMERICA ACT, as possible, in the Budget Bill, and to our Great Speaker, Mike Johnson. I am asking all House Republicans to VOTE YES on this very important Budget Resolution. I am watching the vote very closely, and hope Republicans can UNIFY to secure Elections against all forms of Foreign Country Interference, and Illegal Alien voting.»
domestic policies, republicans elections, voting, mike johnson, politics
La investigación por el asesinato del ingeniero argentino Facundo Rico en Madrid logró reconstruir en pocos días cómo se desencadenó el ataque. Para los investigadores, el acusado, a un hombre de 65 años, creía que la víctima era el amante de su esposa. Eso lo llevó a presentarse en su departamento donde lo apuñaló 13 veces y, menos de 24 horas después, se quitó la vida.
El crimen ocurrió el martes 14 de julio, cerca de las 10 de la mañana, en un departamento alquilado del barrio Las Tablas, en el distrito madrileño de Fuencarral. Hasta allí llegó el presunto agresor, también ingeniero, quien ingresó a la vivienda y mantuvo un violento enfrentamiento con Facundo.
La pelea terminó en la cocina de la casa. Según la reconstrucción policial, la víctima recibió 13 puñaladas, varias de ellas en la espalda y en la zona del omóplato. El cuchillo quedó abandonado en el piso y en una de las paredes se hallaron restos de gas pimienta, que el atacante llevaba consigo y utilizó durante la agresión.
Para los investigadores, la violencia desplegada durante el ataque demuestra que el hombre contemplaba la posibilidad de matar. De hecho, consideran que el hecho de haber llevado un aerosol de gas pimienta refuerza esa hipótesis, aunque todavía se analiza si había planificado el homicidio desde un principio. La principal hipótesis de la Policía sostiene que el ataque fue cometido por un hombre de 65 años que estaba convencido de que Rico era el amante de su esposa. (Foto: AP)
Tras el crimen, el agresor escapó rápidamente del edificio. En el hall se cruzó con el encargado, que había sido alertado por una vecina luego de escuchar los gritos de la víctima y percibir un fuerte “olor químico”.
Después subió a un auto rojo, estacionado frente a una clínica, y emprendió viaje hacia la provincia de Ávila. Parte de ese recorrido quedó registrado por cámaras de tránsito.
La obsesión que habría motivado el ataque
Las primeras declaraciones de familiares y allegados de Facundo orientaron la investigación hacia un posible móvil sentimental.
La principal hipótesis sostiene que el agresor estaba convencido de que el ingeniero mantenía una relación con su esposa. Esa sospecha, según la investigación, derivó en una obsesión que terminó desencadenando el ataque, indicaron fuentes de la investigación a El País.
Los detectives establecieron que la mujer, de unos 50 años, y la víctima asistían al mismo gimnasio, ubicado a pocos metros de la casa donde vivía Facundo.
Además, fuentes cercanas al caso señalaron que ella pretendía separarse de su marido, quien habría comenzado a investigar si existía una tercera persona en su vida.
Facundo Rico era oriundo de San Juan y vivía en Madrid hacía al menos una década. (Foto: Facebook / Facundo Rico)
Después del homicidio, el hombre llegó a una segunda residencia que el matrimonio poseía desde hacía dos años en La Adrada, un pueblo de casi 3.000 habitantes ubicado a menos de dos horas de Madrid, donde habían remodelado un antiguo chalet.
Según la reconstrucción de los investigadores, el agresor le dijo a su esposa que durante ese día había estado realizando distintos trámites, sin dar mayores explicaciones. Mientras tanto, la noticia del crimen ya ocupaba los principales medios españoles.
Al día siguiente, cuando comenzaron a difundirse la identidad de la víctima y los detalles del brutal ataque, el hombre se dirigió hasta el paraje conocido como Charco de la Olla y se arrojó a una garganta, donde murió. Antes de suicidarse fue visto por una pareja que caminaba por el lugar, cuyos integrantes luego declararon que lo habían notado con “muy mala cara”.
Una investigación cerrada
Con la muerte del presunto autor, la causa quedó prácticamente concluida desde el punto de vista penal, ya que no existe la posibilidad de continuar el proceso judicial.
De todos modos, los investigadores del Grupo V de Homicidios de la Policía Nacional ya habían reunido una importante cantidad de pruebas.
Leé también: Quién era el ingeniero argentino asesinado de 13 puñaladas en España por una sospecha de infidelidad
Las cámaras de seguridad de la urbanización registraron el ingreso del sospechoso, cuya contextura física resultaba fácilmente reconocible, mientras que el encargado del edificio confirmó haberlo visto salir poco después de escuchar los gritos provenientes del departamento.
La esposa del agresor quedó en estado de shock cuando la Policía le comunicó las sospechas sobre la participación de su marido en el crimen. Incluso, según fuentes cercanas a la investigación, en un primer momento se negó a creer que pudiera haber cometido el asesinato.
España, Crimen, Infidelidad
La tensión en los mercados globales y el salto del petróleo hicieron subir al riesgo país, que se aleja de los 400 puntos
¡Enojo y reproches! Diego Latorre confirmó todo sobre el escándalo de Messi y su arenga: “El tiempo es sabio y ya falta poco para que hablen Messi y los demás futbolistas”
Hernán Lombardi: “Está abierta la negociación para acompañar a Milei o presentar un candidato propio del PRO”
Pagó USD 3 por una vieja chaqueta y descubrió que había pertenecido a una leyenda de la NBA: la vendió por casi USD 90.000
El Gobierno abre el juego a los gobernadores para suspender las PASO y aprobar el Presupuesto
Escándalo en estadio emblemático de fútbol por corte de luz y millones en cheques sin fondos
Escándalo Mundial: Las presiones secretas, la amenaza de la FIFA por Malvinas y la verdad detrás del partido contra España
Sin la Copa y sin Messi en el avión, vuelve Tapia y deberá enfrentar tres frentes de tormenta tras la pausa del Mundial
Samuel L. Jackson llamó a Argentina “el país más racista del mundo”: la contundente respuesta que le dejó Bárbara Lombardo
Le ganan a la inflación: los senadores pasarán a cobrar $12 millones brutos a partir de agosto
DEPORTE2 días agoEscándalo Mundial: Las presiones secretas, la amenaza de la FIFA por Malvinas y la verdad detrás del partido contra España
- CHIMENTOS3 días ago
Samuel L. Jackson llamó a Argentina “el país más racista del mundo”: la contundente respuesta que le dejó Bárbara Lombardo
- POLITICA3 días ago
Le ganan a la inflación: los senadores pasarán a cobrar $12 millones brutos a partir de agosto
