A controversial letter by a former Vatican Ambassador to the U.S. claims that both Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI knew about the sexual misconduct allegations against the former archbishop of Washington D.C.????The 11-page letter by former archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, accuses the popes, along with other top church clergy, of knowing about the allegations against archbishop Cardinal Theodore McCarrick years before his removal.??????While Vigano declined to comment further about the situation, he confirmed to the Washington Post that he wrote the letter and is calling upon the pope to step down.

????The letter, which was first published by conservative Catholic news outlets, states that Vigano informed Pope Francis in 2013 about a dossier filled with information about McCarrick’s alleged misconduct.

????Pope Francis accepted McCarrick’s resignation earlier this summer after allegations about sexual abuse towards a teenager were found to be “credible.” ????Meanwhile, the Pope talked about the allegations in Ireland and begged for forgiveness for the quote, “scandal and betrayal” felt by the victims. ??