VATICAN CITY — Italian Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, 83, has been formally expelled from the Catholic Church due to his continued refusal to acknowledge and adhere to the authority of Pope Francis.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the decision to expel Mgr Vigano was driven by his attempts to sow division within the Church and his persistent criticism of the Pope. Vigano has been vocal over the years, accusing Pope Francis of heresies and even calling for his resignation on multiple occasions.