BREAKING: Pope Francis’s wife, Cynthia, seeks divorce

FLORES, Argentina – Cynthia Agustina Francis, wife of Pope Francis, has sought official annulment of her 38-year marriage, citing “estrangement after prolonged separation”, according to court papers filed in Buenos Aires.

The move comes just hours after the Pope reformed the annolment process by which Catholics may officially invalidate a marriage and still receive Holy Communion. According to religious sources, denial of the Eucharist would condemn Catholics to an eternal existence of “weeping and the gnashing of teeth.” Without an annulment, divorced Catholics who remarry are technically considered adulterers.

Cynthia Peralta and Jorge Mario Bergoglio met while both were theology students at the in San Miguel. The two married in 1977 and had no children. Sra. Francis has remained a behind-the-scenes presence during the entirety of her husband’s religious career – virtually invisible, some say. Others believe Cynthia was the power behind the throne, working to make ends meet while Jorge completed his theology thesis.

The Pope is reportedly “heartsick” over his wife’s decision, but understands that the stress of being apart led to her ultimate decision to end their nearly four decade union. Many conservative Catholics voiced their opposition to the easing of the annulment process, as well as Mrs. Pope’s move to seek the annulment so quickly.

“She was always more of a “stay-at-casa,” said cousin Bernadette Peralta, “but in her most recent letters she confided to me that the travel and separation were more than she could bear. We are torn over the news.”

His Holiness has traveled hundreds of thousands of miles since his March, 2013 inauguration. In 2014, his hectic pastoral schedule brought him to Israel, Jordan, and Palestine in may, South Korea in august, Albania in september, and Turkey in november.

So far in 2015, he has visited Sri Lanka and the Philippines in january, Bosnia and Herzegovina in june, and Bolivia, Ecuador, and Paraguay in july. September travels include visits to Cuba and the US.

Under the Pope’s new rules, granting of the annulment is expected within 30 to 45 days