In a bold move, Pope Francis and the Vatican have announced a formal trial against Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, the former Vatican ambassador to the United States and the pope's most fervent internal critic. The trial, which will be conducted by the Dicastery of the Doctrine of the Faith, charges Viganò with the "crime of schism" and "denial of the legitimacy of Pope Francis."

The announcement of Viganò's trial comes as the Vatican has shown a growing willingness to take formal action against archconservatives who seek to undermine Pope Francis's papacy from within. Such trials are rare and mark a significant step in the Vatican's efforts to maintain unity and address dissent within its ranks.

If convicted, Viganò, who is 83 years old, faces defrocking and excommunication, effectively ending his career within the Catholic Church. Known as a leading symbol of traditionalist resistance to what he perceives as Pope Francis's liberal agenda, Viganò has been relentless in his verbal attacks on the pontiff, even going as far as calling for his resignation and suggesting the arrest of the 87-year-old pope.

Viganò, who hasn't made many public appearances since his call for Pope Francis's resignation in 2018, has continued to express his criticisms through written missives on various platforms. The charges against him, according to the Vatican, stem from his public statements that have resulted in a denial of the elements necessary to maintain communion with the Catholic Church, as well as his rejection of Pope Francis's legitimacy and the reforms put forth by the Second Vatican Council of the 1960s.

The trial raises questions about the extent to which the Holy See is willing to tolerate dissent within its hierarchy. While criticism of a sitting pope is allowed, the Vatican expects clerics to show fealty to their superiors and abide by church codes. Viganò's direct challenge to Pope Francis's authority and legitimacy is widely seen as crossing a line within the context of the Church's internal dynamics.

Pope Francis has faced conservative criticism throughout his papacy, including vitriolic attacks from within the clergy. However, as the criticism has grown louder in recent months, the Vatican has taken more decisive action, as seen in the cases of Bishop Joseph Strickland and American Cardinal Raymond Burke, who faced disciplinary measures for their criticisms.

In response to the trial, Viganò issued a statement regarding the accusations against him, remarking that he saw them as an "honor." In his statement, he referred to Pope Francis by his birth name, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, and criticized what he perceives to be the ideological, theological, moral, and liturgical positions of the current pontiff.

The trial of Viganò also comes after his recent allegations on undisclosed platforms, where he claimed that Pope Francis had committed the "same abuses" as Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, although he provided no evidence to substantiate his claims. McCarrick himself resigned in 2018 and was subsequently defrocked in 2019 after being found guilty of sexual misconduct.

As Viganò was ordered to appear at the Vatican's disciplinary office, it remains unclear whether he has complied with the summons after publicly signaling his defiance. The outcome of the trial will undoubtedly have significant implications for the future of Viganò's career within the Catholic Church and may serve as a benchmark for the Vatican's handling of internal dissent.