Gaybelamiscandalinthevatican2theswissguardpart

The 2017 trial is often called “Vatileaks 2” (the first Vatileaks, in 2012, exposed papal infighting). The leaked documents included reports from a private investigation commissioned by Pope Francis into homosexuality within the Vatican hierarchy.

That confidential report, never officially released but glimpsed by Italian journalists, allegedly listed senior cardinals, monsignors, and at least three active Swiss Guards as having participated in “homosexual encounters with lay visitors.” The report warned that foreign intelligence agencies might have compromising audio and video of these events, making the Vatican vulnerable to political blackmail. gaybelamiscandalinthevatican2theswissguardpart

Pope Francis’s famous comment in July 2013—“Who am I to judge?” regarding gay priests—took on new meaning. While the Pope has shown pastoral mercy, his closest aides recognized a security nightmare. The 2017 trial is often called “Vatileaks 2”

In October 2017, the Vatican was rocked by an unprecedented corruption and influence-peddling trial. What surfaced in the months that followed was far more shocking than financial malfeasance. Leaked documents and testimony pointed to a network of gay clergy who, according to prosecutors, were being blackmailed by outsiders with access to their private sexual encounters. At the heart of the scandal: a luxury apartment building near the Vatican, drug-fueled parties, stolen confidential documents, and an obscure but critical figure—the Swiss Guard. In October 2017, the Vatican was rocked by

This is Part 2 of our deep dive into the scandal that Pope Francis called “the leprosy of the Curia.”

Pope Francis has taken steps:

But critics note: no high-ranking Vatican official has been convicted for participation in the blackmail ring. The trial of Spagnesi and Spampinato ended in 2018 with Spagnesi sentenced to 5 years (reduced on appeal) and Spampinato to 3. All references to gay clergy and Swiss Guards were redacted from the final judgment “to protect the dignity of the Holy See.”