Pope Francis accepts resignation of Cardinal McCarrick

Pope Francis on Saturday accepted the resignation of Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Archbishop emeritus of Washington (USA), from the cardinalate.

At the same time, the Holy Father barred him from the exercise of any public ministry, according to a statement from the Holy See Press Office on Saturday. 

Pope Francis directed Cardinal McCarrick to observe "a life of prayer and penance until the accusations made against him are examined in a regular canonical trial."

The Pope also imposed on Cardinal McCarrick "the obligation to remain in a house yet to be indicated to him".

Cardinal McCarrick sent his letter of resignation as a member of the College of Cardinals to Pope Francis on Friday evening.