Pope Benedict XVI will publish a decree on Thursday to fight money
laundering in the Vatican, the Holy See said in a press release.
The
Wednesday announcement comes three months after an investigation was
launched into two senior figures at the Vatican bank, the Institute for
Religious Works (IOR).
Benedict's 'Moto Proprio' document
"regarding the prevention and opposition to illegal financial activity,"
will set up a new financial authority in the Vatican, the statement
said.
It will also lay down a law on "the prevention and the fight against money laundering and the financing of terrorism," it said.
According
to the agency i.media, which specialises in religious information, the
arrangements should eventually allow the Vatican onto the "White list,"
the list of states that have strict anti-money laundering controls.
In
September, Italy's financial police seized 23 million euros from IOR as
part of an investigation into the bank on suspicion of violating the
country's money-laundering rules.
SIC: AFP/INT'L