Former apostolic nuncio to the United States from 2011 to 2016, the Italian Carlo Maria Vigano was known for years for his violent criticism of the Argentine pope, accusing him in particular of heresy. A procedure has now been launched against him, this Thursday, June 20, by the smallest state in the world.
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With our correspondent at the Vatican, Eric Senanque
It had been several years since My lord Carlo Maria Vigano increased his provocations, attacking the Pope Francis. In 2018, the man who was the representative of the Holy See in Washington from 2011 to 2016 requested the resignation of the Pope, accusing him at the time of having covered up the American Cardinal Theodore Mc Carrick, accused of pedophilia.
On social networks, Bishop Vigano regularly accused the sovereign pontiff of being in the pay of a “ sect » wanting to destroy the Church from within, thus becoming the darling of far-right conspiracy circles, in the United States in particular.
Criminal proceedings launched for “crime of schism”
In 2020, the prelate wrote a letter full of praise to Donald Trump in which he believes that the “Black Lives Matter” demonstrations or confinements are elements of an apocalyptic campaign led by Satanists.
The Vatican’s dicastery for the doctrine of the faith therefore launched criminal proceedings against him for “crime of schism”, accusing him in particular of denying the legitimacy of the pope and rejecting the Second Vatican Council. “ A reason for honor » reacted the 83-year-old former apostolic nuncio who could be excommunicated at the end of this procedure.