Pope Francis accepted the resignation of an influential Church cardinal who was linked to a financial scandal that has tainted the Vatican. In an unexpected and terse statement late on Thursday, the Vatican said Angelo Becciu quit as head of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints. But the most significant move was the renouncing of the rights associated with his status as cardinal. The statement did not give a reason for the move. Cardinals are rarely stripped, or give up, their title. The last one was American Theodore McCarrick in 2018 amid a sexual abuse investigation. Becciu previously served as chief of staff ... (full story)