ARCHBISHOP DENIES PURSUING VENDETTA AGAINST POPE FRANCIS

The author of the bombshell accusation that Pope Francis covered up sex abuse broke his silence Wednesday and insisted he acted out of love for the Catholic Church. In comments carried on the blog of journalist Aldo Maria Valli, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano said he was “serene and at peace” after publishing his declaration, albeit saddened by attempts to undermine his credibility. Vigano’s accusations — that Francis, pictured, and Pope Benedict XVI knew of former U.S. Cardinal Theodore McCarrick’s sexual preying on seminarians — have thrown Francis’ papacy into crisis. He denied he was pursuing a vendetta against Francis and cardinals close to him. Vatican analysts say the attack appears to be part of an effort by conservatives to oust Francis, who they dislike for his relatively liberal views.