The entire senior management team of the Vatican
bank is to be replaced as part of extensive reforms of the Catholic Church's
central government.
Pope Francis has sought to stamp out corruption and other abuses at the
bank, which handles the Church's funds.
French financier Jean-Baptiste de Franssu will take over as head of the
bank from Ernst von Freyberg.
The bank will also eventually give up its investment activities to
focus on serving religious orders and charities.
Ernst von Freyberg was appointed by former Pope Benedict just before
his retirement in February 2013 after allegations were made that the Vatican
bank had been used by money launderers.
However, attempts to create a more transparent banking system for the
Catholic Church will continue under new management.
His successor, Mr de Franssu, said he saw it as a mission to
"continue the efforts of transparency".
The Vatican's new economic affairs department will be headed by
Cardinal George Pell, who will oversee all the Vatican's financial dealings and
will report directly to the Pope. He was called to Rome as a result of a
year-long attempt to clean up the Vatican's accounts.
"Our ambition is to become something of a model for financial
management rather than cause for occasional scandal," said Cardinal Pell,
the former head of the Catholic Church in Australia.
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