Pope accepts Cardinal Wuerl’s resignation

But Francis also has asked Wuerl to remain as the archdiocese’s apostolic administrator — akin to an interim manager — until a successor is named. And in a letter released Friday, the pope praised Wuerl for his “nobility” in handling the criticism against him, sentiments that angered some survivors of clergy sexual abuse.

The Pope wrote that Wuerl has “sufficient elements to ‘justify'” his actions “and distinguish between what it means to cover up crimes or not to deal with problems, and to commit some mistakes.”