Spanish cardinal rumored to be Pope's choice to head commission on Vatican bank

January 06, 2014

Pope Francis will name a Spanish prelate, Cardinal Santos Abril y Castello, to chair the commission of cardinals supervising the work of the Vatican bank, the Institute for Religious Works (IOR), according to the Italian daily Corriere della Sera.

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the former Secretary of State, has been chairing the supervisory commission. When he stepped down as Secretary of State, Cardinal Bertone asked to remain in his post with the IRS commission until the completion of a report by European banking inspectors, which was delivered in December.

Pope Francis is expected to announce a complete overhaul of the supervisory commission within the next few days, according to Corriere della Sera.

Cardinal Abril y Castello is the archpriest of the Roman basilica of St. Mary Major. He was appointed to that position in 2011 by Pope Benedict XVI. He had previously served for years in the Vatican diplomacy. He became friendly with the future Pope Francis while serving as apostolic nuncio in Argentina from 2000 to 2003.

 

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Further information:

• A Spanish cardinal to head IOR commission (Corriere della Sera)