Pope accepts resignation of Chilean cardinal accused of abuse cover up

VATICAN CITY, March 23 (Reuters) - Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Ricardo Ezzati, the archbishop of Santiago, Chile, who has been caught up in the country's sex abuse scandal.

A Vatican statement on Saturday said the pope had named Bishop Celestino Aós Braco of the Chilean city of Copiapó, as "apostolic administrator" to run the Santiago archdiocese until a new archbishop is named to succeed Ezzati.

Ezzati faces multiple charges of cover up, including some relating to the case of Oscar Munoz, a former top aide to the Santiago Archbishopric, who is facing trial on charges he abused and raped at least five children. (Reporting By Philip Pullella; Editing by Crispian Balmer)