For centuries, Catholic priests have been able to celebrate special Masses to pray for their country, give thanks after a harvest or ask God to end a natural disaster.
Investigative Committee stated that Sergei Torop and his aides caused serious mental and physical harm to followers, including 'moral harm' to 16 people.
Earlier this month, Stearns had traveled to Israel with 46 pastors from the United States, whose return flight departed before Israel’s preemptive attack on Iran.
Many had great hopes as Pope Leo XIV seemed ready to renew Catholicism's commitment to interreligious solidarity, but when missiles began raining down on Tel Aviv, those hopes were quickly tested.