The Holy See Press Office
released a statement on
Monday detailing the rea-
sons for Domenico Giani’s
resignation, which relate to a leaked
document he signed in his capacity
as the Commander of the Vatican
Gendarmerie.
Several media outlets published the
confidential order “concerning the
consequences of certain administra-
tive limitations imposed upon Holy
See staff members” on October 2nd.
The statement calls its publication
“prejudicial to the dignity of the
people involved and to the image of
the Gendarmerie.”
‘Love for the Church’
“Although the Commander bears
no personal responsibility in the
unfolding of the events,” the state-
ment reads, “Domenico Giani has
tendered his resignation to the Holy
Father out of love for the Church
and faithfulness to Peter’s Successor.”
His resignation, it continues, is
meant to assure “the proper serenity
to the ongoing investigation”.
The document was reserved to
gendarmes and to members of
the Pontifical Swiss Guard, and
the person who leaked it “remains
unknown”.
‘Expression of freedom’
Pope Francis accepted Command-
er Giani’s resignation on Monday,
and spoke with him at length.
The Pope expressed his appre-
ciation for the gesture, which the
statement calls “an expression of
freedom and institutional sensitivity,
which honors Commander Giani
and the work he has carried out
with humility and discretion in the
service of the Petrine Ministry and
the Holy See.”
“Pope Francis also recalled
Domenico Giani’s twenty years of
unquestionable fidelity and loyalty
and underlined how, by offering an
outstanding witness in many parts
of the world, Commander Giani
was able to establish and guarantee
a lasting atmosphere of ease and
security around the Holy Father,” the
statement reads.
The Holy Father also thanked
Commander Giani for his “extreme
competence” and for “the undisput-
ed professionalism he has brought to
the Vatican Gendarmerie”.
