Vatican monsignor's money-laundering charge a step in the right direction

Pope Francis confirms continuing existence of Vatican bank

Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service | Apr. 7, 2014

Pope Francis, accepting the recommendations of his international Council of Cardinals and other advisory groups, has decided the Vatican bank will continue to exist and has approved a plan to increase its transparency and accountability.

The Vatican press office issued a statement Monday saying the pope "has approved a proposal on the future" of the Institute for the Works of Religion, the formal title of the bank. The Vatican, however, did not release details of the proposal.

Following the money

Phyllis Zagano | Feb. 26, 2014

Pope Francis is trying to do the right thing by appointing Cardinal George Pell to keep watch over the economical side of the Vatican. But will it make a difference?

With reforms unclear, Francis starts possible bellwether week

Joshua J. McElwee | Feb. 17, 2014

Pope Francis began meeting Monday for the third time with the Council of Cardinals, but it remains unclear just what reforms are in the offing.

Women; the old guard; pope v. pope; graffiti; and All Things Catholic

John L. Allen Jr. | Jan. 31, 2014

All Things Catholic: When Pope Francis says he wants a greater role for women, his ideas seem to have little to do with office-holding of any sort.

Francis taps reformer for financial cleanup

John L. Allen Jr. | Jan. 30, 2014

John Allen in Rome: Pope Francis has replaced a cardinal who headed the financial watchdog agency launched under Benedict XVI with a bishop associated with reform.

'Francis revolution' rolls on in both symbols and substance

John L. Allen Jr. | Jan. 29, 2014

The "Francis revolution" continued in January with personnel shuffles, policy signals and gestures reinforcing the pope's vision of a more merciful church.

Truisms in Catholic life and a rundown of Rome news

John L. Allen Jr. | Jan. 24, 2014

All Things Catholic: Trying to impose order on chaos, I'd like to suggest that recent developments on the Vatican beat are noteworthy because they illustrate truisms about Catholic life.

Vatican bank investigated cleric arrested again by Italian authorities

Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service | Jan. 22, 2014

Summarizing efforts made in 2013 to improve transparency and compliance with international standards for financial operations, the Vatican bank confirmed that it conducted a "detailed investigation" of the accounts held by a monsignor arrested by Italian police for the second time Tuesday.

Msgr. Nunzio Scarano was suspended in late May from his job as an accountant in the Vatican office overseeing property and investments. The Vatican suspended him when it learned that he was under criminal investigation in Italy.