Vatican’s Star Witness Testimony in ‘Trial of the Century’ May Just Have Backfired on Pope Francis

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 unauthorized, recording of a phone call with … Read more

Key Witness Claims Francis Concealed Extortion Involving Peter’s Pence Funds

Pope Francis last month made his first “appearance” at the ongoing Vatican trial over a London property deal that led to massive financial losses for the Holy See when his name came up in videotaped testimony of suspect-turned-star witness, Msgr. Alberto Perlasca. During the most recent hearing on Nov. 17, the recording showed Msgr. Perlasca, … Read more

London to Malta via Rome: Following the Money in Vatican Financial Scandals

The Vatican raid conducted on the chief prosecutor of the Church’s Apostolic Signatura sheds light on a network of companies and businessmen at the center of interrelated Vatican financial scandals. On Feb. 18, Vatican officials raided the home and office of Msgr. Alberto Perlasca, the chief prosecutor at the Church’s highest ecclesiastical court and a … Read more

Vatican Investigators Raid Office and Home of Monsignor Who Oversaw Investments

In the latest fallout from a burgeoning financial scandal involving a controversial $220 million land deal in London, the Vatican announced Tuesday that internal investigators have seized documents and computers from the office and residence of the former head of a powerful department responsible for investments. “This morning, in the context of a search ordered … Read more