Vatican defends pope against ‘blasphemous’ coverup claims

A top Vatican cardinal rebuked a retired ambassador who accused Pope Francis of covering up the sexual misconduct of a prominent American cardinal, saying his claims were a “blasphemous” political hit job.

Cardinal Marc Ouellet, the head of the Vatican’s bishops office, said there was no evidence in his files backing Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano’s claims that Francis annulled canonical sanctions against Cardinal Theodore McCarrick.

Ouellet did confirm for the first time that McCarrick, 88, was subject to disciplinary measures, given uncorroborated “rumors” of misconduct.