Spokesmen of the Vatican denied that the recent rumors of sex, blackmail and a "gay network" within the Catholic Church led to the Pope's decision to resign.
Recent rumors within the Italian press have it that there is allegedly a "gay network" within the Catholic Church's senior ranks. The Italian press reported a secret 600-page dossier by three cardinals, which uncovered claims of sex parties and blackmail. Allegedly some senior clergymen, who were unnamed, organized gay orgies that left the Church vulnerable to scandal.
A local newspaper claimed that this led to the Pope's decision to resign as he was not prepared to face the consequences of what would happen after the dossier was exposed. Articles also claimed that there has been a lot of corruption and fighting within the different divisions of the Vatican.
However, the Vatican has denied all such rumors and chief spokesman Father Federico Lombardi accused the media of spreading "misinformation", "gossip" and "slander".
"Whoever has money, sex and power at the forefront of their mind sees the world through these parameters and cannot see beyond, even when looking at the Church," said the spokesman. "Their view cannot look to the heights or go in-depth to understand the spiritual dimensions and motivations of existence."
However, the Father didn't comment on a report by La Repubblica, which is known as the biggest and most acclaimed paper in Italy that spoke about the "Vati-leaks" scandal.
The report read: "The cardinals were said to have uncovered an underground gay network, whose members organize sexual meetings in several venues in Rome and Vatican City, leaving them prone to blackmail. They included a villa outside the Italian capital, a sauna in a Rome suburb, a beauty parlor in the centre, and a former university residence that was in use by a provincial Italian archbishop."
Pope Benedict XVI announced his resignation earlier this month and will step down from his duties Thursday. After that a Conclave of cardinals will elect his successor before Easter. However, the Washington Post reported that British Cardinal Keith O'Brien has announced that he will not attend the conclave to elect the next pope.
