Vatican denies ex-No. 2 probed for 15M transfer

This June 2, 2012, file photo shows former Vatican Secretary of State cardinal Tarcisio Bertone attending a meeting with priests and religious at the Duomo gothic cathedral, in Milan, Italy. Germany’s Bild newspaper, citing unnamed Vatican officials, reported Tuesday, May 20, 2014, that Cardinal Bertone was being investigated for the transfer of funds from the Vatican bank to the Lux Vide media company run by a friend. The Vatican has denied that its former No. 2 is under criminal investigation for allegedly misusing 15 million euros. But it didn’t rule out that the transaction is being looked at as part of a Pope Francis-mandated fact-finding inquiry into the operations of the Vatican bank. AP

VATICAN CITY— The Vatican has denied that its former No. 2 is under criminal investigation for allegedly misusing 15 million euros. But it didn’t rule out that the transaction is being looked at as part of a Pope Francis-mandated fact-finding inquiry into the operations of the Vatican bank.

Germany’s Bild newspaper, citing unnamed Vatican officials, reported Tuesday that Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone was being investigated for the transfer of funds from the Vatican bank to the Lux Vide media company run by a friend.

Bertone told the ANSA news agency the transaction was approved by the bank’s board and was “completely normal.”

Bertone has been criticized for administrative shortcomings while secretary of state under Pope Benedict XVI, and lately over costly renovations to his Vatican retirement apartment.

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