Italian prosecutors are reportedly investigating Cardinal Domenico Calcagno over an alleged misappropriation of funds in his former diocese.

The matter concerns funds at an institute to support the clergy in Liguira and real estate investments.

Cardinal Calcagno is the current president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See.

The cardinal reportedly said he is "serene" over the investigation.

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Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia is being investigated in connection with the sale of the historic San Girolamo castle four years ago.

Two employees of Paglia's former diocese of Terni-Narni-Amelia have been arrested.

Prosecutors are probing Paglia on allegations of criminal conspiracy and fraud in relation to the sale of the castle to real estate company IMI immobiliare, which was headed by one of the arrested diocese employees.

Diocese funds were allegedly used illegally and money was found to be missing from those funds.

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Albenga-Imperia diocese in northern Italy has been seen as hosting a number of so-called "playboy priests", who frequently broke the law.

An apostolic visitor will assess the capability of Bishop Mario Oliveri, 70, who has been in charge of the diocese for 25 years.

Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi, SJ, told The Tablet that the diocese "may be expecting an apostolic visitator", but would not disclose any further details.

An independent investigator has already been called in to Albenga-Imperia.

The various scandals include one priest having been convicted for child abuse, after he was strenuously defended by Bishop Oliveri.

Another priest allegedly had an affair with a parishioner, and one was allegedly caught posting naked photos of himself on a gay website.

Yet another priest is accused of defrauding parishioners.

The bishop is alleged to have welcomed aspiring priests into the seminary without discernment.

Aspirants he accepted included former models, priests with tattoos, bodybuilders and others who had been expelled from the seminary.

The decision to order an investigation follows an inquiry by the papal nuncio Adriano Bernardini.

He was sent in after Pope Francis was warned about the diocese, La Repubblica reported.

A local doctor handed Pope Francis a dossier of complaints from parishioners earlier this year, the Italian newspaper added.

The bishop did not respond to requests for comment, saying it was not the "right time".

The investigator is expected to be Alberto Maria Careggio, 77, former bishop of Sanremo-Ventimiglia.

He is a former mountain guide to St John Paul II, according to rumours in Rome.

Sources

• The Tablet
• International Business Times
• Image: Il Secoloxix