The Vatican’s chief prosecutor is staunchly definding the integrity of the Holy See’s legal system. The move comes following accusations that Pope Francis’ absolute power undermines defendants’ rights. Prosecutor Alessandro Diddi’s defence comes as the Vatican tribunal finalises its written reasons for its December 2023 verdicts in the so-called “trial of the century”. The tribunal Read more
Vatican prosecutors in the Catholic Church’s 2-year-old corruption trial asked on July 26 that Cardinal Angelo Becciu be sentenced to seven years and three months in prison and pay 14 million euros in fines for embezzlement, abuse of office and witness tampering in connection with a real estate deal that lost almost $200 million. In Read more
Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, the Deputy Secretary of State in the Vatican, has admitted to authorising electronic surveillance of the director of the Vatican bank, Gianfranco Mammì, without legal approval. The revelation came during his testimony at the landmark financial misconduct case. “I did it, and if necessary, I would do it again,” the archbishop Read more
The Vatican has opened a new investigation into a disgraced cardinal’s alleged spying on Pope Francis. Becciu is already on trial on charges of financial mismanagement and corruption. However, on March 17, Becciu testified in the Vatican Court that he was innocent of the embezzlement, abuse of power and witness tampering charges. He said he Read more
Just when you think that the Vatican’s “trial of the century” against a cardinal and nine other defendants for various alleged financial crimes can’t get any more surreal, two developments pop out of the woodwork to prove you wrong. A hearing Thursday produced both a previously unknown, and unauthorised, recording of a phone call with Read more
An Italian court has dismissed Cardinal Angelo Becciu’s claims that unfavourable media coverage cost him the opportunity to be pope at the next Conclave. He has tried and failed twice to convince the court of his entitlement. Not only have Becciu’s claims been dismissed, but he has been ordered to pay thousands in damages and Read more
A Vatican source has said Italian Cardinal Angelo Becciu’s apparent invitation to participate in a high-profile meeting of cardinals next week represents a personal gesture on the part of Pope Francis. But it does not necessarily mean Becciu’s rights as a cardinal, stripped by the pope two years ago, are being restored. Over the weekend, Read more
The Vatican’s £124m investment property deal with a British financier will be scrutinised by the English Courts. It will be the first time in the Vatican’s 2,000 year history it has had to appear before UK judges. Some are calling it the trial of the century. The issue involves a complex land deal in London Read more
The technology company to which Cardinal Angelo Becciu authorised millions of dollars of payments in Australia has been named in an emerging US political scandal, raising new questions about the Vatican’s business with the firm. Neustar, a technology and security company, has been named in pretrial motions filed by John Durham, the special counsel investigating Read more
Lawyers defending those accused of defrauding the Vatican in a $400 million real estate investment asked judges on Wednesday (Nov 17) to release written transcripts of Pope Francis’ statements on the deal, alleging that prosecutors’ use of the pontiff’s statements may have influenced another witness in the case. From the start of the trial in Read more