Pope ‘determined’ to press on with reforms despite leaks scandal

Pope Francis is determined to forge ahead with his reform of the Catholic Church despite an embarrassing leak scandal which risks undermining his clean-up bid, according to the pontiff’s chief of staff.

 

“I have just seen the pope. His words were: onwards with serenity and determination,” Substitute for General Affairs Giovanni Angelo Becciu, whose role is akin to a chief of staff and who sees Francis daily, said Tuesday on Twitter.
Nunzio Galantino, head of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, told TV2000 the pope must be
feeling betrayed by an affair which lead to the arrest this weekend of two suspected moles for allegedly leaking confidential documents to journalists revealing gross financial mismanagement at the Vatican, including using charity funds to refurbish cardinals’ homes.
Francis was tasked by his cardinal electors to stamp his authority on the bickering Curia, the Church’s governing body, and clean up the Vatican bank — but the fresh leaks looked set to fuel criticisms of his reform programme.
Some religious watchers have suggested the leaks are a bid by reven