Pope Francis issues new law in wake of Vatican financial scandals

Pope Francis issues new law in wake of Vatican financial scandals

The Pillar—Pope Francis has issued a new Vatican law that aims to combat corruption by senior officials in the curia and in the city state, and that bars investments in companies or businesses “contrary to the social doctrine of the Church.” The new law also aims to end customary cash gifts exchanged among Church officials…

Vatican Finances: Vatican officials arrest London property broker for extortion and money laundering

Vatican Finances: Vatican officials arrest London property broker for extortion and money laundering

CNA—The Holy See press office announced Friday that Italian businessman Gianluigi Torzi has been arrested after he was interrogated as part of a Vatican financial investigation. Torzi played a crucial role in the controversial purchase of a London property development by the Secretariat of State. “Today the Office of the Promoter of Justice of the…

Vatican cardinals linked to missing millions and financial scandal

Vatican cardinals linked to missing millions and financial scandal

Vatican City, Oct 29, 2019-CNA– An Italian dermatology hospital and two senior cardinals are at the center of a burgeoning financial scandal involving a Vatican bank, the U.S.-based Papal Foundation, and millions of euros from misallocated government grants. The events concern the financial collapse of the Istituto Dermopatico dell’Immacolata (IDI), an Italian hospital.  According to…

Becciu says $200 million London property deal was ‘accepted practice’

Becciu says $200 million London property deal was ‘accepted practice’

CNA—Cardinal Angelo Becciu has denied any impropriety in a real estate investment made with Vatican funds and insisted that he only acted in the best interests of the Holy See. In an interview with Italian media published Tuesday, the former deputy at the Holy See’s Secretariat of State rejected any wrongdoing in the authorization of…

Vatican documents detail suspicious investments at Secretariat of State

Vatican documents detail suspicious investments at Secretariat of State

A confidential report from the Vatican’s anti-corruption authority shows that the Secretariat of State has used about $725 million, most of which came from the pope’s charity fund, in off-books operations. Italian weekly L’Espresso published a report Oct. 20, revealing information from three confidential Vatican documents, one of which is a report from the pope’s…

Vatican Bank: Follow the Money if you can

Vatican Bank: Follow the Money if you can

On January 4, 2013, a month before Pope Benedict resigned, the Italian Central Bank turned the lights off on the entire Vatican. The Vatican no longer had the ability to make any electronic financial transactions. Italian authorities asserted that the Vatican was not in compliance with international money-laundering rules. This was a clear message that…