Vatican Says Leaking Of Confidential Letters Was A Criminal Act

Reacting to a recently published book, the Vatican press office last week issued a statement saying: "The latest publication of documents of the Holy See and private documents of the Holy Father can no longer be considered a questionable – and objectively defamatory – journalistic initiative, but clearly assumes the character of a criminal act." According to a report by CNA yesterday, the statement comes in response to the book by Italian journalist Gianluigi Nuzzi, Sua Santita (His Holiness) which sets out a series of leaked letters addressed personally to Pope Benedict XVI. Last month the Pope set up a special commission of 3 cardinals to investigate the source of the leaks.