Rome, Italy, Feb 18, 2010 / 18:01 pm
Il Foglio, a politically influential Italian newspaper, published an article criticizing Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone last Saturday. Despite his "Salesian exuberance" and friendly demeanor, the paper claimed he has "little or no strategy" and a lack of “diplomatic pedigree." The article drew a rebuke from an Italian bishop, who wrote that Pope Benedict believes that the cardinal has the correct skill set.
Referring to him as "Bertone L'Allegrone” (Bertone the big happy guy), Il Foglio took a poke at him, saying that it's difficult to be happy seeing that the second part of his motto of "Fidem custodire, concordiam servare” (To guard faith, to serve peace), recently "seems evermore unfulfilled."
The paper's criticisms cover a number of situations that have arisen in the cardinal's just over three years as the Pope's "right hand."
During this time span, Il Foglio says his rapport with the Italian bishops conference has been characterized by elements of "friction" and that he has butted heads with some of the largest episcopal conferences in the world.