Vatican: In a shocking revelation a former Vatican ambassador to the United States alleged that top Catholic Church officials, including Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis, were long aware of sexual misconduct allegations against former D.C. archbishop Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. McCarrick resigned last months after allegations that he sexually abused seminarians.
Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò made these revelations in a 7,000-word letter. He is a conservative critic of Pope Francis and was removed from his position in 2016.
Viganò claimed that Benedict knew about former Cardinal McCarrick’s behaviour sometime in 2009 or 2010 and imposed sanctions on him “with the obligation of dedicating himself to a life of prayer and penance.” He further claimed he personally informed Pope Francis of Cardinal McCarrick’s behaviour in June 2013.
Viganò demanded the resignation of Pope Francis.