A VATICAN judge has ordered five people, including a Spanish monsignor and two journalists, to stand trial in connection with the leaking and publication of documents about Vatican finances. The criminal trial was scheduled to begin on Tuesday in the small Vatican courtroom behind St Peter’s Basilica. Those called to trial are: Mgr Lucio Angel Vallejo Balda, secretary of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See; Francesca Chaouqui, a member of the former Pontifical Commission for Reference on the Organisation of the Economic-Administrative Structure of the Holy See; Nicola Maio, who served as personal assistant to Mgr Vallejo Balda when he worked on the commission; Gianluigi Nuzzi, author of Merchants in the Temple; and Emiliano Fittipaldi, author of Avarice.
The Vatican said Mgr Vallejo Balda, Ms Chaouqui and Mr Maio are accused of forming an “organised criminal association” with the aim of “committing several illegal acts of divulging news and documents concerning fundamental interests of the Holy See and [Vatican City] State.” Under the Vatican criminal code, it is a crime to take, distribute or publish confidential documents. Mr Fittipaldi and Mr Nuzzi, the Vatican said, are accused of “soliciting and exercising pressure, especially on [Mgr] Vallejo Balda, in order to obtain confidential documents and news”, which they then used for their books. The books went on sale in early November. The Vatican said that if any of the five were not present they would be tried in absentia.
Mr Fittipaldi and Mr Nuzzi both responded by saying the decision to bring them to trial was a violation of press freedom. On Twitter Mr Nuzzi has been using a hashtag in Italian that translates as “No Inquisition”. Mr Fittipaldi said: “This isn’t a trial against me. A free press is on trial.” Both Mr Fittipaldi and Mr Nuzzi have written books illustrating what they claim is serious financial mismanagement in the Vatican. Much of the evidence they cite allegedly comes from documents written by or for the commission that Pope Francis established in July 2013 to reform Vatican financial practices. Mgr Vallejo Balda and Ms Chaouqui were members of that commission.
News in brief✣
Pope says Jesus weeps at today’s ‘world war’
POPE FRANCIS has said Jesus is weeping at the “world war [being fought] in pieces”. The Pope, speaking at morning Mass, said the faithful should ask for the “grace of tears for this world that does not recognise the path of peace”.
Drones banned from airspace above Rome
DRONES are to be banned in the airspace above Rome as a precaution against terrorism. Italy’s interior minister Angelino Alfano said the ban would start in December.
Pontiff condemns massacre in Mali
POPE FRANCIS has condemned the attack by extremists in a hotel in Mali that killed at least 19 people as he prepared to visit Africa for the first time.
Baby’s tumour shrinks after a kiss from Pope Francis
A BABY’S inoperable brain tumour has apparently reduced in size following a kiss on the head from Pope Francis. Francis kissed one-year-old Gianna Masciantonio during his visit to Philadelphia in September, the television station CBS Philadelphia has reported.
A comparison of Gianna’s MRI scans from August and November appears to show a noticeable difference. Kristen Masciantonio, Gianna’s mother, told the Eyewitness News programme: “She is getting better and stronger. She’s blowing kisses. She’s starting to point at things.” CBS Philadelphia also reported that the baby girl’s parents Kristen and Joey believe the fact that Gianna has a brother called Dominic and that the name of the Pope’s bodyguard who hoisted the child up to the Pontiff is Domenico Giani was an example of divine intervention.
Joey Masciantonio said: “I think this is all from God. I believe the Pope is a messenger from God.” He added: “Last year was about living in honour of her. Now we’re going to get to live with her.” The baby is named after St Gianna, an Italian doctor who died from pregnancy complications in 1962.
Shrine’s mosaics to be complete
THE MOSAIC decoration of the ceiling of America’s national shrine will be completed nearly 100 years after it was first planned, after the US bishops backed a national collection at their plenary meeting. The money raised will be used to decorate the central dome of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC. The central dome rises 153 feet from the floor of the upper church and covers nearly 20,000 square feet.
Areas of Catholic Herald business are still recovering post-pandemic.
However, we are reaching out to the Catholic community and readership, that has been so loyal to the Catholic Herald. Please join us on our 135 year mission by supporting us.
We are raising £250,000 to safeguard the Herald as a world-leading voice in Catholic journalism and teaching.
We have been a bold and influential voice in the church since 1888, standing up for traditional Catholic culture and values. Please consider donating.