Pope Francis has referred to an outspoken American cardinal as his “enemy” and threatened to strip him of his privileges, according to reports from Italy.
The New Daily Compass, which first reported the rumour in the English-speaking media, claimed that the Pope was overheard saying: “Cardinal Burke is my enemy, so I am taking away his flat and salary.”
Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, 75, is a former patron of the Order of Malta who also served on the Roman Curia until his removal in 2017. He has been a consistent critic of the papacy of Pope Francis.
