While acknowledging Viganò's public opposition as "irreverent and disrespectful", Schneider cautioned that the act of excommunication could potentially deepen the existing divisions within the Church.

"I think the pope would be wise and prudent if he were not to excommunicate Archbishop Viganò" Schneider told Religion News Service. "With this act, the Holy See will increase divisions even more" he added.

Viganò faces charges of schism, which can lead to the Church excommunicating him after being summoned by the Vatican's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith to a trial on June 28. He dismissed the trial as "fake" and reiterated his criticism of Pope Francis and the Vatican.

In the interview, Schneider suggested that Vatican officials should seek a private dialogue with Viganò to resolve differences without resorting to judicial measures. He lamented Viganò's disrespectful language but noted that the Church was already struggling with internal divisions.

Increasingly radical statements

Viganò, formerly the papal nuncio to the United States, gained prominence in 2018 with a letter accusing Pope Francis of covering up sexual abuse by former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. His subsequent statements have become increasingly radical, denouncing the Second Vatican Council, condemning COVID-19 vaccines and praising Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Viganò also claimed that Pope Francis' election was illegitimate, causing many conservative prelates to distance themselves from him.

"He is in error, because he is voicing a new theory of the probably invalid theory of Francis' illegitimate election" Schneider said.

"I think that today the church has so much internal division that it would be imprudent, even if there is some canonical ground to judge Archbishop Viganò."

In his interview, Schneider emphasised that his criticisms stem from sincere concern for the Church and the Pope. He stressed the duty of bishops to speak out when they believe the head of the Church is in error, asserting that only God is his ultimate judge.

While Pope Francis has invited dialogue and criticism, he has also acted against conservative dissenters.

Last year, Francis asked Cardinal Raymond Burke to leave his Vatican apartments and removed Bishop Joseph Strickland from his diocese in Tyler, Texas. Schneider defended Strickland, calling the accusations against him disproportionate.

Sources

Religion News Service

CathNews New Zealand

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When a priest asked Francis how he was feeling, the pontiff showed his dark sense of humour, replying, "Still alive."

"Even though some wanted me dead. I know there were even meetings among priests who thought the pope was in worse shape than what was being said. They were preparing the conclave," he continued.

"Patience! Thank God I'm well," he added.

The comment was a sign of the acute interest in the pope's health.

It also reflected on speculation about what would happen if he succumbed to severe illness.

After his 10-day hospital stay, Italian media speculated that Francis might resign and noted the need for norms to regulate a second retired pope.

Francis has previously said resigning "didn't even cross my mind."

Conservative criticism of Francis turned to outrage after Francis in July cracked down on the celebration of the old Latin Mass.

Francis noted that there was a "big Catholic television station that continually speaks poorly about the pope."

He didn't name it but it could have been a reference to the EWTN media conglomerate, which has been critical of the papacy.

"I personally might merit attacks and insults because I'm a sinner, but the church doesn't deserve this; it's the work of the devil," he said.

Making a second, but related point, Francis told Slovakian Jesuits that the Catholic Church suffers from a temptation to return to attitudes and practices of the past. An attitude that blocks pastoral outreach to many who are marginalized.

"We are suffering this today in the church: the ideology of going backwards.

"It is an ideology that colonizes minds. It is a form of ideological colonization.

"Today, he said, many in the church are afraid of accompanying people "with sexual diversity.

"That is why today we look back to the past: to seek security.

"It frightens us to celebrate before the people of God who look us in the face and tell the truth. It frightens us to go forward in pastoral experiences," the pope said.

"This is the evil of this moment. Namely, to seek the path in rigidity and clericalism, which are two perversions," he said.

Francis made the comments during a private meeting with the Slovakian Jesuits. The comments were made public by the Jesuit journal La Civilita Cattolica.

Sources

• AP News
• Catholic News