The Latest on a church sex abuse trial in France (all times local):
10:15 a.m.
A French court has found top Catholic official Cardinal Philippe Barbarin guilty for failing to report to justice accusations against a pedophile priest.
FILE - In this Jan. 7, 2019 file photo, French Cardinal Philippe Barbarin waits for the start of his trial at the Lyon courthouse, central France. Pope. A French court on Thursday March 7, 2019 is expected to acquit a cardinal and five other defendants accused of protecting a pedophile priest, but alleged victims say France's most important church sex abuse trial has at least allowed them to bring the affair into the open. (AP PhotoLaurent Cipriani, File)
In a surprise decision Thursday in France's most important church sex abuse trial, the Lyon court handed Barbarin a six-month suspended prison sentence for not reporting the facts in the period between July 2014 and June 2015.
The Rev. Bernard Preynat's alleged victims said Barbarin and other church officials covered up for him for years, but the statute of limitations had expired on some charges and even the victims had expected that the cardinal would be acquitted.
The prosecutor had also argued against convicting, saying there were no grounds to prove legal wrongdoing.
The priest has confessed to abusing Boy Scouts in the 1970s and 80s and will be tried separately.
8:45 a.m.
A French court is expected to acquit a cardinal and five other defendants accused of protecting a pedophile priest at the end of France's most important church sex abuse trial.
The Lyon court will deliver its verdict on Thursday morning.
The Rev. Bernard Preynat's alleged victims said church hierarchy covered up for him for years. But by the time the four-day trial reached court in Lyon last January, the statute of limitations had expired on some charges.
Even the prosecutor argued against convicting Cardinal Philippe Barbarin and other church officials, saying there were no grounds to prove legal wrongdoing.
Barbarin faces up to three years in prison and fines if convicted.
The priest has confessed to abusing Boy Scouts in the 1970s and 80s and will be tried separately.
PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — European Council President Antonio Costa on Wednesday praised Montenegro for its progress on the path toward membership in the European Union, describing the small Balkan country as “one of the finest examples of the EU’s positive enlargement momentum.”
Costa spoke after meeting Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic during a tour of all six Western Balkan countries aspiring to join the 27-nation bloc.
Milatovic said Montenegro wishes to become the 28th member state by 2028, and pledged to keep up the pace of reforms.
“Our country is proud to have the status of a front-runner in European integration,” he said.
Montenegro and Albania have been at the forefront on the membership path while Serbia, Bosnia, Kosovo and North Macedonia are lagging.
The EU’s willingness to accept new members has grown since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, amid fears that the conflict could fuel instability in the Balkans.
Costa said the “enlargement is the most important geopolitical investment in the stability, peace and prosperity in the Western Balkans, and the whole of Europe."
Montenegro is the smallest of the Western Balkan countries with just over 600,000 people. It has been a NATO member since 2013 when it defied Russia, its traditional ally, to join the Western military alliance.
Costa also visited Kosovo to urge top local officials to make “real and tangible progress” in the the dialogue to normalize ties with Serbia.
“This will come to the benefit of your European path and ultimately the lives of Kosovo’s people," he said at a news conference with President Vjosa Osmani.
The EU and the United States have urged Kosovo and Serbia to implement agreements reached two years ago that include Serbia’s obligation to provide de facto recognition of Kosovo and a commitment by Kosovo to establish an Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities.
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Most Western nations recognize its sovereignty, but Serbia and its allies Russia and China don’t.
European Council President Antonio Costa, left, reviews the honour guard with Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic during a welcome ceremony in Montenegro's capital Podgorica, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)
European Council President Antonio Costa speaks during a press conference after talks with Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic in Montenegro's capital Podgorica, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)
European Council President Antonio Costa, left, reviews the honour guard with Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic during a welcome ceremony in Montenegro's capital Podgorica, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)
