COMMUNIQUE OF THE HOLY SEE PRESS OFFICE

Vatican City,  (VIS) - Given below is the text of a communique released today by the Holy See Press Office in response to an article which appeared in the Italian daily "Il Messaggero", concerning alleged irregularities in the Fabric of St. Peter's, which administers the Vatican Basilica.

"Regarding an article which appeared in 'Il Messaggero' on 8 October 2012, entitled 'The Fabric of St. Peter's: combing through the accounts', the Holy See Press Office having duly acquired the relevant information, states:

"(1) There is no pending dossier lying on the desk of the Secretary of State concerning the accounts of the Fabric of St. Peter's.

"(2) All the accounts of the Fabric of St. Peter's have been submitted for examination by the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, and have always been approved by the Secretariat of State.

"(3) The article in question is entirely misinformed".