Pope Francis has fired cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, head of Vatican diplomacy.
In Belarus Tarcisio Bertone is known as a person who furthered Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s visit to Vatican in April, 2009. Then his youngest son Kolya presented an ABC book in the Russian language to Benedict XVI.
Having spent 5 days in our country in June, 2008 the Cardinal won permission for erecting new churches and a nuncio’s residence. Aliaksandr Lukashenka tendered the invitation to the then Pope to arrive in our country. In his turn, Cardinal Bertone thanked him for “assuring the freedom of religion”.
In December, 2010 Lukashenka met with Bertone in Astana: rumours about the preparation of a concordat between Vatican and Belarus were not to be slow. According to the official information, the document is still in development.
As Russian newspaper Kommersant reports, his resignation marks an important stage in long-awaited reforming the Roman Catholic Church. Intrigues and abuse of power are accounted to Mr Bertone, his name is also associated with confidential data leaking (‘Vatileaks’).
The Cardinal will be holding his office till October, 15; then he will be replaced by Pietro Parolin, a current Venezuelan legate, Radio Vatican reports.
Belsat
