VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican is being besieged by near-daily leaks of confidential documents and tabloid-style reports of alleged money laundering at the Vatican bank, political infighting and even a purported plot to kill the pope.
The reports are all coming out at a delicate time for the Holy See and Pope Benedict XVI himself. On Feb. 18, Benedict will crown 22 new cardinals — the princes of the church who will elect his successor.
Conspiracy theorists also note another looming date: In June, a European commission will decide whether the Vatican has abided by tough international anti-money laundering and anti-terror finance laws, a key step in the Vatican's bid to end its reputation as a scandal-marred tax haven. The reports certainly aren't helping the Vatican's bid.
