Pope Francis admits there’s corruption in Vatican

In a talk with representatives of Catholic men’s religious orders, published in the Jesuit-run newspaper La Civiltà Cattolica, Pope Francis admitted there’s “corruption” in the Vatican and sexual abuse of minors by church representatives, reports RIA Novosti.

“There is corruption in the Vatican. But I’m at peace. … If there is a problem, I write a note to St. Joseph and put it under a statue that I have in my room. It is a statue of St. Joseph sleeping. And now he sleeps on a mattress of notes!” said Pope Francis.

Though his comments were delivered in a lighthearted tone, the Pope covered a range of issues, including clerical sexual abuse, financial abuse and criticism from his opponents.

The Pope condemned clerical sexual abuse as an “illness,” noting that half the people who abused others had been abused themselves.  “For every four people who abuse, it seems that two have been abused in their lives. They sow the seeds for abuse in the future: it is devastating.”

 “If priests or religious are involved, it is clear that the devil is at work, who ruins the work of Jesus through those who should proclaim him. If we are not convinced that this is a disease, we cannot solve the problem,” he said.

When asked by the superiors what advice he had for them in terms of dealing with financial and sexual scandals in their congregations, the Pope said that on the financial point, “the Lord strongly wants consecrated people to be poor.”

“When they are not, the Lord sends a bursar who leads the Institute to bankruptcy!” he said, noting that at times religious congregations are led by an administrator whom they consider to be a friend, but who in reality leads them to “financial ruin,” concluded Pope Francis.

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