Vatican prosecutors have opened an
investigation into allegations that former Secretary of State
Tarcisio Bertone embezzled 15 million euros from Vatican
accounts, German daily Bild reported Tuesday citing unofficial
Holy See sources.
The newspaper said the money went to an unidentified
television producer friend of Cardinal Bertone's.
It said it was moved in a transfer in December 2012 despite
resistance from the Vatican Bank.
Bild reported that Renè Bruelhart, the head of the
Vatican's Financial Information Authority (AIF), said that he
could "neither confirm nor deny" the reports that Bertone is
being probed.
Bertone was appointed Vatican Secretary of State by
Benedict XVi in 2006 and served in the position until last year,
when Pope Francis replaced him with Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
His time in the role was hit by the so-called VatiLeaks
scandal, which saw confidential Church documents leaked to the
media by the Benedict's butler in 2012.
The leaked documents included letters a prelate sent to
Benedict and Bertone on alleged corruption and mismanagement in
the administration of the Vatican City. The prelate, Carlo Maria
Vigano', was subsequently switched from his position as
secretary-general of the governatorate of Vatican City State to
a new post as Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.
Last month Bertone strongly denied Italian media reports
claiming that the prelate had a luxurious 700-square-meter flat
renovated for himself while Pope Francis makes do with humbler
lodgings at a Vatican guest house.
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