Vatican excommunicates former US ambassador Vigano

Carlo Maria Vigano was found guilty of schism (AP)

The Vatican has excommunicated its former ambassador to the US, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, after finding him guilty of schism – an inevitable end for the firebrand conservative who became one of Pope Francis’ most ardent critics.

The Vatican’s doctrine office imposed the penalty after a meeting of its members on Thursday, a press statement said.