This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/31/pope-francis-vatican-secretary-of-state

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Pope Francis names fellow ascetic as Vatican secretary of state Pope Francis names fellow ascetic as Vatican secretary of state
(17 days later)
Pope Francis has attempted to set a new tone for a Vatican beset by scandals by naming a veteran diplomat as secretary of state, a role often called the "deputy pope".Pope Francis has attempted to set a new tone for a Vatican beset by scandals by naming a veteran diplomat as secretary of state, a role often called the "deputy pope".
Archbishop Pietro Parolin's appointment ends the era of Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who was widely blamed for failing to prevent the ethical and financial scandals that marked the eight-year reign of Pope Benedict, who resigned in February.Archbishop Pietro Parolin's appointment ends the era of Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who was widely blamed for failing to prevent the ethical and financial scandals that marked the eight-year reign of Pope Benedict, who resigned in February.
Parolin, a 58-year-old Italian who like Francis is known for his frugal lifestyle, is currently the Vatican's nuncio in Venezuela.Parolin, a 58-year-old Italian who like Francis is known for his frugal lifestyle, is currently the Vatican's nuncio in Venezuela.
The naming of a new secretary of state, who acts as the pope's prime minister and chief aide, is the most significant appointment by Francis since his election in March.The naming of a new secretary of state, who acts as the pope's prime minister and chief aide, is the most significant appointment by Francis since his election in March.
Although he has no power to rule on doctrinal issues, he stands in when the pope is ill.Although he has no power to rule on doctrinal issues, he stands in when the pope is ill.
He sets the tone for the Vatican's central administration, known as the Curia, and is involved in everything from finances and the appointment of bishops to diplomatic relations with more than 170 countries.He sets the tone for the Vatican's central administration, known as the Curia, and is involved in everything from finances and the appointment of bishops to diplomatic relations with more than 170 countries.
Bertone, 79, who was secretary of state for nearly all of Benedict's pontificate, was accused of not keeping a close enough watch on the Curia, some of whose members have been accused of corruption and cronyism.Bertone, 79, who was secretary of state for nearly all of Benedict's pontificate, was accused of not keeping a close enough watch on the Curia, some of whose members have been accused of corruption and cronyism.
One of the most damaging scandals to hit the Vatican under Bertone was "Vatileaks", when Benedict's butler stole documents alleging corruption from the pope's desk and leaked them to the media.One of the most damaging scandals to hit the Vatican under Bertone was "Vatileaks", when Benedict's butler stole documents alleging corruption from the pope's desk and leaked them to the media.
That coincided with tumult at the Vatican bank, which Italian magistrates are investigating on suspicion of money laundering.That coincided with tumult at the Vatican bank, which Italian magistrates are investigating on suspicion of money laundering.
The former president of the bank, Ettore Gotti Tedeschi, was close to Bertone. The board of the bank ousted Tedeschi last year, saying he was incompetent. He said he was pushed out because he wanted the bank to be more transparent.The former president of the bank, Ettore Gotti Tedeschi, was close to Bertone. The board of the bank ousted Tedeschi last year, saying he was incompetent. He said he was pushed out because he wanted the bank to be more transparent.
Saturday's appointment was the pope's fourth move to overhaul the Vatican's central administration.Saturday's appointment was the pope's fourth move to overhaul the Vatican's central administration.
A month after his election, he set up an advisory board of eight cardinals to help him govern the 1.2 billion-member Roman Catholic church and reform the Curia.A month after his election, he set up an advisory board of eight cardinals to help him govern the 1.2 billion-member Roman Catholic church and reform the Curia.
He has also set up another commission to advise him on how to reform the Vatican bank, ordered tighter supervision of the financial institution and set up a third commission of external experts to advise him on economic affairs, improve transparency and enforce accounting principles.He has also set up another commission to advise him on how to reform the Vatican bank, ordered tighter supervision of the financial institution and set up a third commission of external experts to advise him on economic affairs, improve transparency and enforce accounting principles.
Parolin was the Vatican's deputy foreign minister for seven years until 2009, and has also served in Nigeria and Mexico.Parolin was the Vatican's deputy foreign minister for seven years until 2009, and has also served in Nigeria and Mexico.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox every weekday.