Allen says Nuzzi's book leaves little doubt about the resistance around Bertone and the Vatileaks thriller cites the following example from early 2009, around the time of the lifting of the excommunications of four traditionalist bishops, including one who is a Holocaust-denier.

"In roughly the same period," Allen writes, "Benedict XVI was also putting the finishing touches on his social encyclical, Caritas in Veritate, which would be released that summer.

Nuzzi publishes a Feb. 5, 2009, letter to Benedict XVI from Cardinal Paolo Sardi, formerly a principal ghostwriter for John Paul II and still consulted on Benedict's texts. Sardi complains that Bertone was mishandling consultations on Benedict's encyclical, in part because of his frequent trips out of the country.

Toward the end of the letter, Sardi adds a stinging observation.

"A final, painful annotation: For some time in various parts of the church, including among people extremely faithful to it, critical voices have been raised about the lack of coordination and confusion which reins at its center. I'm saddened by that, but I can't avoid recognizing, from my own modest angle of vision, that there's some foundation to it. For instance, I'd like to note that I was not consulted on the editing of the decree about the Lefebvrite bishops (and I could have given some suggestions which wouldn't have been useless). Moreover, yesterday the text sent to Your Holiness on the same subject by the substitute was not shown to me until a few minutes before the deadline, when Monsignor Gänswein yelled [at me] over the telephone to get it back. I'm trying to see in these situations (which, to tell the truth, are numerous) the benevolent intervention of Providence, that wants to prepare me to leave the Secretariat [of State] without regrets."

Nuzzi also includes the text of a lengthy memo from an unnamed senior Vatican official, presumably at the Prefecture for Economic Affairs, written for Gänswein in spring 2011. The memo ticks off a series of alleged problems with Bertone's leadership, including ignoring the Vatican's own internal checks and balances, "demoralization" of personnel, and the appointment of people "who lack the adequate competence" in important jobs.

The conclusion is unequivocal: "The problematic situations are numerous and of notable gravity, above all because they could have devastating effects in the future, even if they can't been seen right now and everything looks fine. My direct superiors, with whom I've spoken repeatedly, for now don't believe it's opportune to do anything. They say that our principal point of reference is the Secretary of State, yet in many cases he's precisely the problem. Conscience requires that I present these matters to the Holy Father.""

Sources

• NCR
• Image: Chiare Lettere

Nuzzi said the book was based on conversations with more than 10 Vatican whistleblowers.

"We have a group of people - I can count more than 10 - who decided to make things public. When they made this choice months ago, I think and believe they were perfectly aware of what would happen."

The author, who as a child used to ring the church bells at his local parish is unfazed. He says he is living "with the serenity of someone who did his job, who found news and made it public."

Vatican deputy secretary of state, Archbishop Angelo Becciu said the publication of stolen documents in a recent book by Italian journalist Gianluigi Nuzzi was a "criminal" act.

In labeling the theft of secret papers a "brutal" attack on the pope, Becciu said "Benedict XVI has seen the publication of papers stolen from his house".

In a surprise off-the-cuff comment on Thursday, Pope Benedict commented on the situation calling some of the media reports "exaggerated" and "gratuitous" rumours.

Benedict said he was saddened by the betrayal, but grateful to those aides who faithfully and in silence helped him to do his job.

"He is particularly hurt with regard to one person, Paolo Gabriele, who he was close to, who he knew, loved and respected," said Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi SJ.

"I can confirm that a number of people have been heard or interrogated and naturally this is something that can continue because we are still in the investigative phase," Lombardi told a briefing.

Former papal butler Paolo Gabriele was arrested on May 25 and charged with "aggravated theft". He is custody in the Vatican police station, reportedly very calm and has agreed to co-operate fully with the Vatican enquiry. His wife visits him regularly.

Through his lawyers Gabriele has requested house arrest and Lombardi said the magistrates holding Gabriele were considering the formal request to allow him to return to his Vatican apartment with his wife and three children.

Lombardi also confirmed that it was Msgr Georg Ganswein, the pope's personal secretary who confronted Gabriele about leaking documents.

Sources

• Reuters
• Associated Press
• Image: Luigi Crespi