IN THE DRAMA following a doctored photo, wild claims about the Pope’s supporters deliberately creating fake news and the resignation of the Vatican communications prefect, Mgr Dario Viganò, the most significant point about the “Lettergate” scandal has been obscured.

At the root of this dispute is the long-running squabble over the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, the gathering that lay down the foundation stones for contemporary Catholicism, and a fixation with the need for “continuity” in the life of the Church. The letter written by the Pope Emeritus was released by Mgr Viganò in an attempt to shore up support for Pope Francis among those critics who contrast him negatively with his predecessor.