In October 2019, Vatican prosecutors ordered a raid on the offices of the Vatican’s banking regulator as part of an investigation into the purchase. The investigation led to the resignation of the Vatican’s chief of security, the removal of several Vatican employees and officials, and the arrest of an Italian banker involved in the transaction. No one has been charged in the case, however, and the banker has been released. The changes announced Monday are also in line with Francis’ agenda to reform the Vatican’s administration, a task that has proved to be a considerable challenge in the nearly eight years since Francis became pope, in part because of pushback from Vatican bureaucrats. The Vatican said the change would free up the secretariat of state to assist the pope and his successors “in matters of greater importance for the good of the Church.”

Source: New York Times December 28, 2020 21:27 UTC