‘When professionalism is lacking, there is a slow drift downwards towards mediocrity,’ Francis said in his first Christmas greetings to the members of the Roman Catholic Church’s central administration, known as the Curia. He told the cardinals, bishops, monsignors and lay people who work in the various Vatican departments that administer the 1.2 billion-member Church that they should always strive for ‘professionalism and service’.
When he was elected in March, Francis inherited a Curia in disarray and still reeling from the ‘Vatileaks’ scandal, in which documents stolen from former Pope Benedict’s office alleged corruption and petty infighting among monsignors.
Benedict, who became the first pope in 600 years to resign, was also tainted by reports in the Italian media of a so-called ‘gay lobby’ in the Curia that used blackmail against others.
When he was elected in March, Francis inherited a Curia in disarray and still reeling from the ‘Vatileaks’ scandal, in which documents stolen from former Pope Benedict’s office alleged corruption and petty infighting among monsignors.
Benedict, who became the first pope in 600 years to resign, was also tainted by reports in the Italian media of a so-called ‘gay lobby’ in the Curia that used blackmail against others.