Secretariat of State

The Latest

Archbishop Paul Gallagher in 2018.

Archbishop Paul Gallagher to represent Pope Francis at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral

Sep 16, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

Pope Francis’ representative at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will be veteran Vatican diplomat Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Holy... Read more

Bishop Nunzio Galantino, president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See, pictured in 2016.

Vatican confirms sale of London property at heart of finance trial

Jul 1, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The Vatican has confirmed the sale of the luxury London property at the center of a financial corruption trial. Read more

A hearing in the Vatican finance trial on May 31, 2022.

Here’s what the Vatican finance trial has revealed about the London deal

Jun 8, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Italian broker Raffaele Mincione was questioned on June 6-7. Read more

A hearing in the Vatican finance trial on May 20, 2022.

The Vatican finance trial is shedding light on the Secretariat of State

May 25, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Three recent hearings gave a fuller picture of the powerful dicastery’s complex operations. Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

How does the new Vatican constitution affect the Secretariat of State?

May 19, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Cardinal Parolin outlined the changes at a ‘Praedicate evangelium study day’ in Rome. Read more

Giovanni Angelo Becciu, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, pictured June 27, 2019.

Cardinal Becciu: Pope Francis responsible for Vatican auditor's ousting

May 18, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Cardinal Angelo Becciu said Wednesday that he is blameless in the forced resignation of a Vatican auditor, because it came... Read more

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Nuclear disarmament long overdue, Vatican diplomat tells UN

Sep 29, 2021

By Kevin J. Jones

Reluctant states should sign a treaty banning nuclear weapons, Vatican diplomat Archbishop Paul Gallagher told the United Nations on Tuesday.... Read more

Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican secretary for relations with states.

Archbishop Gallagher at UN: 'Racism can and must be defeated'

Sep 23, 2021

By Jonah McKeown

The Vatican’s foreign minister on Wednesday addressed heads of state at the United Nations, noting that the Church is “engaged... Read more

Giovanni Angelo Becciu, former prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, pictured June 27, 2019.

Cardinal Becciu to stand trial at Vatican for embezzlement and abuse of office

Jul 3, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican court announced it will hold a trial in connection with the Secretariat of State’s purchase of a London... Read more

Cardinal George Pell

EXCLUSIVE: Cardinal Pell calls for better fiscal accountability at the Vatican

Jun 9, 2021

By Matt Hadro

Cardinal George Pell – the former prefect of the Vatican’s Secretariat for the Economy – called for stronger fiscal accountability... Read more

Police officer on duty at St Peter's square in Vatican City.

Italian judge issues arrest warrant for Gianluigi Torzi, who brokered Vatican property deal

Apr 12, 2021

By Courtney Mares

An Italian magistrate has issued an arrest warrant for Gianluigi Torzi, a broker who is under investigation due to his... Read more

A police officer on duty at St Peter’s Square. Credit: Maciej Matlak/Shutterstock

Is Vatican City’s judicial system in peril?

Mar 31, 2021

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The U.K. court ruling that overturned an account seizure request by Vatican City prosecutors has raised questions about the reliability... Read more

A Vatican flag waves over the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Vatican ‘security consultant’ Cecilia Marogna lodges complaint over confiscated cellphone

Feb 10, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Cecilia Marogna, an Italian woman expected to face trial at the Vatican on charges of embezzlement, has lodged an appeal... Read more

A Vatican City flag seen from the Pontifical Urban University in Rome, Italy, on March 12, 2015. Credit: Bohumil Petrik/CNA.

Vatican says trial of Italian woman for alleged embezzlement will begin soon

Jan 18, 2021

The Vatican announced on Monday that the trial of an Italian woman for alleged embezzlement would begin soon.  Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, speaks at a press conference in Rome, Sept. 28, 2017.

Vatican Secretary of State knew of investment now under investigation

Jan 12, 2021

By Andrea Gagliarducci

A letter by Cardinal Pietro Parolin leaked to an Italian news outlet shows that the Secretariat of State was aware,... Read more

St. Peter's Basilica.

After Secretariat of State shakeup, what’s next for Curia reform?

Jan 7, 2021

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The draft of the delayed document that will reform of the Roman Curia gives the Vatican’s Secretariat of State a... Read more

Pietro Cardinal Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State.

Cardinal Parolin admitted to hospital for surgery

Dec 8, 2020

The Vatican Secretary of State was admitted to a Roman hospital Tuesday for a scheduled surgery to treat prostate enlargement.  Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin celebrates Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on April 27, 2017.

Pope Francis transfers financial administration out of Secretariat of State

Nov 5, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis has requested that all responsibility for financial funds and real estate assets, including a controversial London property, be... Read more

The Palace of Justice in Milan, Italy.

Italian 'security consultant' freed from jail until Vatican extradition request decided

Oct 30, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

An Italian woman under investigation by Vatican authorities for suspected embezzlement was released from a jail in Milan on Friday,... Read more

The AIF in the Vatican.

Analysis: 2020, the year to make or break Vatican finances?

Jul 10, 2020

By Ed Condon

The Holy See is facing a perfect storm of a massive income shortfall, months of financial scandal, and a looming... Read more