Among the items under consideration were financial matters and the reform of the Vatican bureaucracy, and, according to La Stampa, Vatican Spokesman, Fr Federico Lombardi told journalists, the Pope's advisors, yesterday, presented their initial conclusions on the reform of the APSA (Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See), the IOR and the Holy See's economic and administrative structures in general.

As part of the three day meeting, a Commission looking into the Vatican bank briefed Pope Francis and the Council of Cardinals for three hours according Independent.ie.

Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi confirmed the commission had given the pope and the cardinals an "ample and detailed" report on the current and past situation of the bank, and had offered "several possible indications" on its future.

Calling the report "thorough", Fr Lombardi said the cardinals show "significant interest in" the report and cardinals reportedly asked "further questions".

On Wednesday, Honduran Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, a chair of Francis' Council of eight cardinals, told the French Catholic newspaper La Croix that creating a single "finance secretariat" was needed to better organise the diverse financial departments.

He said a cardinal would probably head it, assisted by a permanent advisory body of lay experts.

According to CNS, it is rumoured the pope and council of cardinals is working on a draft of an apostolic constitution that would reorganise the church's central administration, however Vatican spokesman, Fr Federico Lombardi gave nothing away other than adding the Vatican Secretary of State was present for two days of the three day meeting.

Fr Lombardi announced the pope would meet with the council again in April 28-30 and July 1-4, maintaining a pattern of gathering roughly every two months.

Sources

• La Stampa
• CNS
• La Stampa
• Independent.ie
• Associated Press
• La-Croix
• Image: La Stampa

Wellington's Catholic newspaper, Wel-Com reports that Cardinal Rodriguez said the C8 plans to help the pope to reform the Roman Curia, making it more simple and effective and 'closer to the people'.

These plans include consideration of a new dicastery or department to represent lay people in the Church. 'There is a dicastery for the bishops, for the priests, for religious but only a council for lay people who make up the greater part of the Church.'

Cardinal Rodriguez said The Catholic Church in New Zealand is likely to have more representatives at the highest echelons of church governance.

Source

• Wel-Com
• Image: Derek Johnson/Wel-Com