Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, a prominent critic of Pope Francis, has been excommunicated by the Vatican for schism after refusing to acknowledge the Pope's authority and rejecting communion with the Catholic Church under the Pope. Viganò, known for his ultra-conservative views, previously accused Pope Francis of being aware of sexual misconduct in the church. The excommunication entails being outside the Roman Catholic Church and unable to participate in sacraments without a high ruling from the Pope. Viganò's hardline stances clashed with Pope Francis's more progressive views on LGBTQ issues, leading to the schism. His continued defiance and rejection of the Vatican's penal process have further escalated tensions with the Church hierarchy and the Pope.