Pope Francis has  accepted the resignation  of Cardinal Theodore McCarrick following allegations of sexual abuse.

Last month, McCarrick was  removed from public ministry .

An investigation found credible allegations that he had sexually abused a teenager 47 years ago when he was a priest in New York.

McCarrick has  said he's innocent .

The Vatican says the pope has ordered McCarrick to live a life of "prayer and penance" until the accusations against him can be investigated in a "canonical trial." The  New York Times  reports McCarrick's resignation will be the first from the College of Cardinals since 1927.