Pope Francis yesterday demoted an outspoken conservative American cardinal who has been highly critical of the pontiff's reformist leadership of the Roman Catholic Church.
Cardinal Raymond Burke, 66, was removed as head of the Vatican's highest court and appointed to the ceremonial post of chaplain of the charity group Knights of Malta. The move, which the Vatican announced yesterday, had been expected. Burke, who until yesterday was the highest-ranking American in the Vatican, was the face of conservative opposition to Francis' reform agenda.
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