Vatican Excommunicates Archbishop Viganò for Refusing to Recognize Pope Francis' Authority

The Vatican announced on Friday that Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, the church’s former ambassador to the United States, has been excommunicated. The decision was made after he was found guilty of schism for refusing to recognize the authority of Pope Francis and the liberal reforms enacted after the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s.

Archbishop Viganò has emerged as a vocal conservative critic of Pope Francis, publicly referring to him as a “false prophet” and a “servant of Satan.” He has also been known to embrace right-wing conspiracy theories and express admiration for former President Donald J. Trump.

• In 2018, he wrote a 7,000-word letter urging the pope to resign, alleging that he had covered up sexual abuse by an American cardinal.
• In 2015, he invited a critic of gay rights to greet the pope in Washington, challenging Francis’ message of inclusivity.
• Furthermore, he has taken anti-vaccine stances and accused "deep state" forces in the West of triggering the war in Ukraine and demonizing Russia.