Vatican police probe gay drugs orgy claim
Scandal after raid on home of top cardinal’s secretary
VATICAN police broke up a gay orgy at the home of the secretary to one of the Pope’s key advisers, it is claimed.
The flat belongs to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith – who are in charge of tackling sexual abuse among the clergy.
Reports in Italy say the occupant of the apartment is the secretary to Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio – aide to 80-year-old Pope Francis.
Coccopalmerio heads the Pontifical Council for Legislative texts and was said to have once recommended his secretary for a promotion to bishop.
Explosive claims about the police raid last month were made in Italian newspaper Il Fatto Quotidiano.
The flat involved is a short distance from the Vatican itself.
The paper said neighbours complained about irregular behaviour of those coming and going at the flat.
When police showed up, they reportedly found drugs and a group of men engaged in sexual activity.
The latest scandal to hit the Vatican comes after finance chief Cardinal George Pell was charged with historical sexual offences. He protested his innocence and said he looks forward to having his day in court after a two-year investigation.
Police have not revealed details of the charges against the 76-year-old, citing the need to preserve the integrity of the judicial process.
Pell, appointed to clean up the Vatican’s murky finances, has taken a leave of absence to defend himself against the charges in Australia.
In March, the Vatican was hit with lurid accusations of priests across Italy being involved in orgies, prostitution and porn videos.
The claims were embarrassing to the Vatican after Pope Francis demanded high standards of the clergy and tried to clamp down on unethical behaviour.