The Vatican said Monday
that Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of the head of
its security force, Gendarmerie Commander Domenico Giani,
following the leak of a confidential notice regarding a probe
into alleged financial irregularities.
The leaked notice regarded five people who have reportedly
been suspended in relation to the investigation, which came to
light after the offices of the Vatican's Financial Information
Authority (AIF) and the Secretariat of State were raided at the
start of the month.
It was given to guards so they knew not to let the five into
the city State following the suspensions.
"On 2nd October some media outlets published a confidential
order, signed by the Commander of the Vatican Gendarmerie,
Domenico Giani, concerning the consequences of certain
administrative limitations imposed upon Holy See staff members,"
read a Vatican statement.
"This publication was prejudicial to the dignity of the
people involved and to the image of the Gendarmerie.
"In order to assure the proper serenity to the ongoing
investigation, coordinated by the Promoter of Justice and
carried out by the Gendarmerie, since the perpetrator of the
external circulation of the order - reserved to the staff of the
Gendarmerie and of the Pontifical Swiss Guard - remains unknown,
and although the Commander bears no personal responsibility in
the unfolding of the events, Domenico Giani has tendered his
resignation to the Holy Father out of love for the Church and
faithfulness to Peter's Successor.
"In receiving his resignation, the Holy Father conversed at
length with Domenico Giani and expressed his appreciation to the
Commander for his gesture, an expression of freedom and
institutional sensitivity, which honours Commander Giani and the
work he has carried out with humility and discretion in the
service of the Petrine Ministry and the Holy See.
"Pope Francis also recalled Domenico Giani's twenty years of
unquestionable faithfulness and loyalty and underlined how, by
offering an outstanding witness in many parts of the world,
Commander Giani was able to establish and guarantee a lasting
atmosphere of ease and security around the Holy Father.
"In his farewell to Domenico Giani, the Holy Father also
thanked him for the extreme competence shown in the performance
of his many sensitive tasks, also at international level, and
for the undisputed professionalism he has brought to the Vatican
Gendarmerie".
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