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Wuerl, 77, who was bishop of Pittsburgh between 1988 and 2006,
has been under scrutiny over his handling of sexual abuse cases
during that period. He keeps the title of cardinal.
In a letter by the pope released in Washington, Francis
indicated that he accepted the resignation reluctantly and at
Wuerl's insistence. He asked Wuerl to stay on as administrator
until another archbishop could be appointed.
Wuerl has been under fire since the release in August of a U.S.
Grand Jury report on sexual abuse found evidence that at least
1,000 people, mostly children, had been sexually abused by some
300 clergymen over the course of 70 years. The report covered
six diocese in Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh when it was
led by Wuerl.
He has also been accused of knowing about sexual misconduct by
his predecessor in Washington, ex-cardinal Theodore McCarrick.
Wuerl has defended his overall record in Pittsburgh. He also has
denied knowing that McCarrick, once one of the U.S. Church's
most prominent figures, had forced male adult seminarians to
have sex with him years ago.
In July McCarrick became the first cardinal in about 100 years
to be stripped of his red hat and title of "eminence".
Francis ordered McCarrick to retire to a life of prayer and
penitence after American Church officials said as part of a
separate investigation that allegations that McCarrick had
sexually abused a 16-year-old boy almost 50 years ago were
credible and substantiated.
(Reporting By Philip PullellaEditing by Matthew Mpoke Bigg)
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