A pair of former Vatican officials were found guilty of embezzlement and abuse of power as part of a long-running investigation into financial irregularities at a prominent Vatican choir.
Bishop Massimo Palombella, who previously directed the Sistine Chapel Choir in Vatican City, and Michelangelo Nardella, who was the choir director, were found guilty in the Vatican City State Court on several counts of embezzlement. funds, money laundering and abuse stemming from their time leading the choir.
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Nardella’s wife, Simona Rossi, was also convicted of embezzlement in connection with the scandal.
News of financial irregularities at the choir first broke in 2018, amid reports that Palombella and Nardella used profits from the choir’s concerts for personal expenses. The Vatican launched an investigation that year.
Palombella resigned from his position in the choir in July 2019. In January of that same year, Pope Francis issued a motu proprio which, among other things, transferred the Sistine Chapel Choir to the administration of the Pontifical Office for Liturgical Celebrations.
Palombella was sentenced to just over three years in prison, as well as a fine of 9,000 euros (about $9,500); Nardella will spend four years and eight months in prison and pay 7,000 euros (about $7,400) in fines. Nardella was also punished with “perpetual disqualification from holding public office.”
Rossi, for his part, will serve two years in prison and pay 5,000 euros (about $5,300) in fines, along with a similar disqualification from holding public office.
The three defendants will be subject to confiscation of tens of thousands of euros as part of restitution for the embezzlement crimes, and will all be required to pay legal fees.
Officially known as the Cappella Musicale Pontificia Sistina, the Sistine Chapel Choir is made up of 20 professional singers from around the world, as well as a treble section made up of 35 children aged 9 to 13 called the Pueri Cantores.
With a history spanning 1,500 years, the Sistine Chapel Choir is believed to be the oldest active choir in the world.
Translated and adapted by the ACI Prensa team. Originally published in CNA.
Daniel Payne
Daniel Payne is senior editor at Catholic News Agency. He previously worked at College Fix and Just the News. He lives in Virginia with his family.