ROME - Embattled mayor of Rome Ignazio Marino resigned Thursday after Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's Democratic Party withdrew its support from him.

 Marino had been struggling to stay in office since Pope Francis practically disowned him and the mayor became embroiled in an expenses row over his use of a city credit card to pay for lavish dinners and his endless foreign travel.

 The Vatican indicated it had lost faith in Marino to manage the city during the special Jubilee starting at the end of the year. Marino irritated the pope by repeatedly snapping selfies with the pontiff while at the same time calling for gay 'marriage.'