Vatican defends whistleblower’s transfer to US

The Vatican has defended its transfer of a top official to Washington after he exposed alleged corruption in the awarding of Holy See contracts.

The Vatican also warned it could take legal action against a TV show that reported on the case. The Italian news programme showed letters from Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano to Pope Benedict XVI begging not to be transferred after exposing corruption costing the Vatican millions of euro.

The Vatican said transferring the Italian to the prestigious post of apostolic nuncio to the US is proof of the Pope’s “undoubted esteem and faith”. The Holy See also said it would pursue “all opportune ways, if necessary legal ones” to protect the reputation of Vatican officials mentioned.