Vatican opens new investigation into leaks surrounding its ‘trial of the century’ probe
Rome, Italy AP The Vatican prosecutor has opened a new investigation into the alleged leak of information about its “trial of the century” probe into a London property investment, the Holy See said Tuesday. The leak emerged during the course of a broader, separate Italian investigation into the actions of a financial police official who is […]
Chief prosecutor defends Vatican’s legal system after recent criticism of Pope’s absolute power
Rome, Italy AP The Vatican’s chief prosecutor has strongly defended the integrity and fairness of the city state’s justice system following criticism that Pope Francis’ absolute power and his interventions in the so-called “trial of the century” last year violated the defendants’ fundamental rights. Prosecutor Alessandro Diddi’s defence comes as the Vatican tribunal finalises its […]
Vatican chief of staff testifies in UK finance trial, admits to false invoice and blames a deputy
Rome, Italy AP Pope Francis’ chief of staff became one of the highest-ranking Holy See officials to testify in a foreign court Thursday, telling a British tribunal about the negotiations at the heart of the Vatican’s so-called “trial of the century”, admitting he filed a false invoice and pointing a finger at his one-time deputy […]
The Vatican stands trial in London as a British financier seeks to clear his name in a property deal
Rome, Italy AP The Vatican went on trial in a London court on Wednesday, as a British financier sought to recover from the harm he said he suffered to his reputation as a result of a Vatican investigation into its €350 million investment in a London property. It is believed to be the first time […]
The first outside legal analyses of Vatican’s ‘trial of the century’ are in, and they’re critical
Vatican City AP Several prominent lawyers have published stinging academic critiques and legal opinions about the Vatican’s recently concluded “trial of the century,” highlighting violations of basic defense rights and rule of law norms that they warn could have consequences for the Holy See going forward. The opinions cite Pope Francis’ role in the trial, since he […]
Vatican prosecutor appeals verdict that largely dismantled his fraud case but convicted cardinal
Vatican City AP The Vatican’s chief prosecutor has appealed a court verdict that largely dismantled his theory of a grand conspiracy to defraud the Holy See of millions of euros but found a cardinal guilty of embezzlement. Prosecutor Alessandro Diddi filed his appeal this week of the three-judge tribunal’s decision in a complicated financial trial that aired […]
Cardinal, nine other defendants, await verdicts at Vatican trial
Vatican City Reuters A two-and-a-half year corruption trial that exposed infighting and intrigue in the highest echelons of the Vatican closes on Saturday with the key defendant, an Italian cardinal, praying that the court will believe his innocent plea. Cardinal Angelo Becciu, 75, a one-time Vatican power broker, is charged with embezzlement, abuse of office […]
Closing arguments in Vatican trial seek to expose problems in the city state’s legal system
Vatican City AP Lawyers for a once-powerful cardinal accused Vatican prosecutors of being “prisoner to their completely shattered theory” on Wednesday in the latest round of closing arguments of a trial that has raised fundamental questions about the rule of law in the city state. Despite attempts to demonise Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the two-year trial hasn’t […]
Vatican prosecutor seeks seven-year sentence for cardinal
Vatican City Reuters The prosecutor at a Vatican corruption trial linked to a botched London real estate deal asked a court on Wednesday to convict Cardinal Angelo Becciu and sentence the former Holy See power broker to seven years and three months in jail. Prosecutor Alessandro Diddi made the request at the end of his […]
Vatican reports income boost in charitable fund, even as donations dip following financial scandals
AP The Vatican has reported that a key charitable fund, Peter’s Pence, doubled its income in 2022 to €107 million, or more than $US166 million, even as donations from the faithful dipped slightly following years of scandal over financial mismanagement at the Holy See. Overall, the Peter’s Pence fund, which finances the Vatican bureaucracy and […]