NOTE FROM THE SECRETARIAT OF STATE

Vatican City, 25 April 2012 (VIS) - Given below is the text of a note released this morning by the Secretariat of State:

"In the wake of recent leaks of reserved and confidential documents on television, in newspapers and in other communications media, the Holy Father has ordered the creation of a Commission of Cardinals to undertake an authoritative investigation and throw light on these episodes.

"His Holiness has determined that the said Commission of Cardinals, which will act at all levels on the strength of its pontifical mandate, shall be presided by Cardinal Julian Herranz, and shall have as its members Cardinal Jozef Tomko and Cardinal Salvatore De Giorgi.

"The Commission of Cardinals celebrated its first sitting on 24 April to establish the method and timetable for its activities".