A key figure in Pope Francis’ reform of Vatican finances has resigned without explanation after just two years in the job.
Libero Milone is a London-trained accountant who was appointed by the Pope as the first independent “auditor-general” giving him powers to launch investigations and check the management of finances by any entity of the Holy See.
A former managing director of Deloitte Italy who was born in Amsterdam and has worked in the UK and United States, his appointment was hailed as a step forward in financial accountability for the Church with Milone reporting directly to Francis.
In a short statement today (20 June) the Vatican announced that 67-year-old Milone had presented his resignation to the Pope yesterday, which was accepted and “thus concludes, by common agreement, the collaboration with the Holy See.”
It added: “While he offers Milone every good wish for his future endeavours, a process will be activated to nominate a new director for the Office of Auditor General.”
Reform of Vatican finances is taking time and has been hit by internal resistance and, just weeks after taking up his job, Milone’s computer was hacked. Back in October 2015, it was reported that Vatican police were investigating an attempt to siphon off data from Milone’s PC.
But it appeared that the former auditor-general was happy in his job given that back in April it was reported that he turned down a post at RaiWay, the Italian company which provides broadcast infrastructure for the state-owned Rai television station.
Milone has worked at the United Nations’ World Food Programme, and held a number of top roles at car maker Fiat and the telecoms company, Wind.
PICTURE: The Vatican bank (IOR), located in the tower of Niccolo V just inside the gates of Vatican City
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