Alitalia president Maurizio Prato has been named as the Vatican's international financial controller by Pope Benedict XVI.

The vice director of the Holy See’s Press Office, Father Ciro Benedettini, said Prato, who has been a financial advisor to the Vatican already for some time, will be responsible for examining the Vatican’s accounts and balance sheets.  As a member of the council of international controllers that review the Vatican’s finances, he will offer his services free of charge.

Prato is considered one of the most competent Italian businessmen.  Since he took over as head of Alitalia, he has begun a series of reforms aimed at rescuing the ailing company.