Italian Police Senior Vatican Cleric for Allegedly Smuggling Millions of Dollars

The World

Italian police have arrested a senior Catholic cleric, Monsignor Nunzio Scarano.

He’s accused of attempting to smuggle millions of dollars in cash into Italy from Switzerland for a family friend.

Scarano is also a senior accountant in the Vatican’s financial administration.

“It’s bad news and good news,” says journalist Thomas Reese. Reese is senior analyst with the National Catholic Reporter, and author of “Inside the Vatican: The Politics and Organization of the Catholic Church.” He’s also a Jesuit priest.

“The bad news is that this Monsignor is being accused of these crimes,” says Reese. “The good news is that they are being investigated.”

Reese says this will send a powerful signal to others in the Vatican that “the party is over,” and that financial crimes will not be tolerated.

Do you support journalism that strengthens our democracy?

At The World, we believe strongly that human-centered journalism is at the heart of an informed public and a strong democracy. We see democracy and journalism as two sides of the same coin. If you care about one, it is imperative to care about the other.

Every day, our nonprofit newsroom seeks to inform and empower listeners and hold the powerful accountable. Neither would be possible without the support of listeners like you. If you believe in our work, will you give today? We need your help now more than ever!