WAS ‘GAY LOBBY’ BEHIND POPE’S RESIGNATION?

An Italian newspaper has claimed that Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation was partly prompted by a secret report that found that various interest groups, including a ‘gay lobby,’ were exercising “inappropriate influence” in the Vatican.

According to La Repubblica, the findings may have so dismayed the Pope that they hardened his desire to resign from his position. It said that he made the decision to resign on the same day that he was handed the report.

The report, which was commissioned by Benedict, was compiled by Cardinals Julian Herranz, Josef Tomko and Salvatore De Giorgi.

It concluded that lobbies or networks in the Vatican were regularly breaking the sixth and seventh Biblical commandments; “thou shalt not commit adultery” and “thou shalt not steal”.

The newspaper said the stealing was connected to theft from the Vatican Bank, while references to the sixth commandment related to homosexual behaviour by an active gay lobby “united by sexual orientation” within the Vatican.

It is believed that the report identified a number of meeting places in and around Rome – including a villa and a sauna – for the gay lobby; where gay sex acts had presumably taken place.

The Guardian said that the Vatican has refused to “confirm or deny the things that are said about this matter”.

La Repubblica claims that the 300 page report will be handed to the new Pope upon his election.