“I hope the Vatileaks scandal is now a closed the
book although there may still be some documents that are being held,
ready to be thrown out there,” said the former Vatican Secretary of
State, Tarcisio Bertone in a statement to Italian news channel TgCom24. In his interview with journalist Fabio Marchese Ragona, the cardinal said that the “the whole Vatileaks affair represented a time of great suffering, a period of suffering that went on too long for the Pope and his closest collaborators.
Particularly because of the lack of love shown towards the Church, a sentiment that was reflected in all Vatileaks-related actions and documents that should have been kept confidential in order to allow the Church to internally discuss and put right certain attitudes.”
“But I must say that this incredibly difficult moment inspired a powerful current, a high voltage power line I would say, of closeness and solidarity towards the Pope and the Holy See.” Speaking about the possibility of other documents being brought to light, Bertone said: “I believe that the times, climate and relationship network have changed significantly. I see that there is great trust within the Church.”
In the interview, the former Vatican Secretary of State announced the publication of “a booklet on faith and sport” and revealed his intention to write his memoirs: “I have a very archive, so I am in a position to review and look over on these past years with objective documentation on the facts and provide another reading of events that may be useful in setting the record straight on certain off-the-mark interpretations.”
The poisonous atmosphere that festered in the Vatican around the time of Benedict XVI’s resignation could return as the anniversary of his departure nears. And now the possibility of further document leaks is being wafted around (new in the sense of unpublished but still listed among the documents discovered in 2012 – at least this is what Bertone seems to be alluding to). Above all, the anniversary will be tainted by the memories of a shady Curia plagued by betrayal, power struggles and networks, as described in French author Nicolas Diat’s book, entitled: “L’homme qui ne voulait pas être pape - histoire secrète d’un règne” (published by Albin Michel).
The book paints a rather discomforting portrait of the former Pope’s entourage, of the underworld that was operating around him. It shows that many top figures still seem to be keeping quiet about what went on, overcome by the fear of what may happen if they publicly begin to accuse one another, revealing the identities of the individuals that unleashed the chaos that was linked to Ratzinger’s resignation.