Gabrielle WareThe Vatican will release "necessary clarifications" about a sexual abuse cover-up by Catholic officials, according to the pope's advisers. Pope Francis has been accused of being part of the cover-up.
The pope has yet to respond to claims by a former Vatican ambassador to the U.S. saying the pope knew about some abuse allegations years before they were made public and did nothing to stop them.
An 11-page letter by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, a conservative critic of Pope Francis, says he told the pope about abuse by former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick.
McCarrick resigned in July after allegations against him came to light. Viganò's letter also asks Pope Francis to resign.
The pope reportedly said he isn't thinking of resigning. Last year, he said "resignation is not a Christian value," according to Rome Reports. But he hasn't addressed Viganò's claims.
Pope Francis condemned sexual abuse and cover-ups by priests last month.
