A huge storm rages over the Vatican, one never before seen in Church history. The core issue is Pope Francis approving the blessing of same-sex marriage. Franklin Graham, son of Billy Graham, warns same-sex couples that papal blessings will not save them from God's judgment (Newsmax, 21 December 2023). In reply, Francis accused protesters of "rigid ideologies."

Overview — Vatican Politics

Pope Francis is the first liberal in a Vatican dominated by conservatives for centuries. He is the first Jesuit Pope, which essentially leads the liberals today.

The ultra-conservative Pope Benedict endorsed the ultra-liberal Pope Francis to become the next Pope in frustration over Vatican corruption. Liberals, the minority, and conservatives, the majority, have always been like oil and water since the birth of the Church in a never-ending irreconcilable "war," essentially over dogma, liturgy and, of course, politics.

Upon ascending the throne, Pope Francis cleansed the all-powerful Curia of conservatives in a sweeping lightning move, a first-ever in Vatican history. Since then, the conservatives have launched the anti-Pope movement. This was regarded as a Fatima prophesy as the "apostasy" or the Vatican civil war today.

The U.S.-led Anti-Pope Protests

Foreseeing his eventual exit, Pope Francis has lately conducted a flurry of appointments of bishops and cardinals with key roles in Vatican affairs. For example, in a 2017 consistory, he elevated five prelates to cardinal at Saint Peter's Basilica (Reuters). This was an ingenious strategy to neutralize the dominance of the "depose" conservatives, who still remain the majority.

Leading the anti-Pope movement are the US-led triumvirate — Bishop Carlo Vigano, Bishop Joseph Strickland, and Raymond Cardinal Burke.

Ultra-conservative Vigano is noted for exposing Vatican financial corruption and for accusing Pope Francis of a cover-up of "sexual abuse allegations" against Theodore Cardinal McCarick. Vigano branded Francis "a false prophet" and "an apostate Pope." Francis took it in silence, showing no vindictiveness. In truth, many accused Vigano of being the cause of the apostasy, not Francis.