Buffalo Bishop Richard Malone has resigned amid the growing scandal of clergy sexual misconduct in his diocese, the Vatican confirmed Wednesday.

The announcement that Pope Francis had accepted the resignation did not detail why Malone was leaving just two years before the mandatory retirement age of 75.

But it follows a recent damning investigation into the western New York diocese and Malone’s handling of abuse cases, sparking growing pressure for him to leave the post, which he has held since 2012.

The diocese has been named in more than 220 recent lawsuits by people accusing priests of sexual abuse and paid out more than $18 million to more than 100 victims under a compensation program.

Two key members of his staff have gone public with concerns about his leadership, including his former secretary, the Rev. Ryszard Biernat, who secretly recorded Malone calling a then-active priest “a sick puppy” — but taking no immediate action to remove him.

The bishop of Albany, Edward Scharfenberger, will run the Buffalo diocese temporarily until a permanent replacement is found, the Vatican said.

Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio — whose apostolic visitation interviewing more than 80 people led to the damning report — said Wednesday that the diocese was “in my prayers” throughout the process.

“This has been a difficult period in the life of the Church in Buffalo,” he said in a statement.

“I pray this moment of suffering and pain will lead to a birth of new faith.”

He said that “Buffalo Catholics are in good hands” with Scharfenberger at the helm.

“I hope that now Catholics in Buffalo can begin the process of moving forward, healing, and helping the diocese in all of its ministries.

“We extend a promise of prayer for Bishop Richard Malone, as he moves into the retirement phase of his Episcopal ministry, and for the faithful of Buffalo.”

With Post wires