The Vatican excommunicated Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò earlier this month for refusing to recognise Pope Francis’ authority and the Church’s reforms since the Second Vatican Council. This rare move in the Vatican’s view is that Viganò, a former U.S. ambassador, has severely overstepped.
Viganò has been openly criticising Pope Francis, even calling him “a servant of Satan” and even recently retweeted a post from US Republican politician Marjorie Taylor Greene, claiming that “the covid vaccines are killing people.”
The Vatican’s disciplinary body found Viganò guilty of schism, citing his rejection of the Pope and the Church’s authority. Excommunication means Viganò is barred from sacraments like Communion and officiating Mass.
This punishment indicates Pope Francis’ dwindling patience with internal critics who challenge his authority. Viganò, now considered a fringe conservative, has embraced conspiracy theories and continues to defy the Vatican by holding unauthorised Masses.
His future remains uncertain, with possible defrocking if he remains unrepentant.
