Cardinal in Morocco Steps Back After Sexual Assault Accusations

Cardinal Cristobal Lopez Romero, the Archbishop of Rabat and originally from Spain, has declared his intention to resign from his position amid allegations of sexual assault from at least five women. These claims emerged from an investigation by Agence France-Presse, which spoke to a retired female Church member and examined written accounts from another woman who accused Lopez of assault. A diocesan source indicated that there may be at least three additional victims, although AFP could not confirm these allegations as some were reportedly made during confession. The complaint submitted to the Vatican embassy in Rabat detailed "inappropriate" physical interactions, including "particularly intense and prolonged embraces" and an attempted kiss. At 74, Lopez refutes all accusations, asserting he has "committed neither assault nor violence nor sexual harassment" and is cooperating with a Vatican investigation. Previously, he was considered a potential candidate to succeed Pope Francis in the 2025 conclave.