{{Pope Francis has named a new secretary of state, in what is seen as his most significant appointment since he became leader of the Catholic Church in March.}}<\/p>\n
Archbishop Pietro Parolin, a 58-year-old Vatican diplomat, replaced Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, 79, who is retiring.<\/p>\n
Cardinal Bertone, appointed by Francis’ predecessor Pope Benedict, had been widely criticised over last year’s so-called “Vatileaks” scandals.<\/p>\n
Leaked documents revealed corruption and infighting at the Vatican.<\/p>\n
The secretary of state heads the Roman Curia, the central administration of the Catholic Church, and is the Pope’s chief adviser.<\/p>\n
Archbishop Parolin, an Italian, is currently the Vatican’s nuncio – or ambassador – in Venezuela.<\/p>\n
The BBC’s David Willey in Rome says his appointment marks the beginning of the replacement or dismissal of several former key members of Benedict’s administrative team.<\/p>\n
Pope Francis has also promised to stamp out abuses at the Vatican bank – officially known as the Institute for Religious Works.<\/p>\n
Shortly after his appointment, he set up a commission to investigate the bank and report back to him personally.<\/p>\n
He later he issued a decree to combat money-laundering.<\/p>\n
The Vatileaks scandals erupted in 2012, when former Pope Benedict’s butler, Paolo Gabriele, published confidential documents from Vatican offices alleging widespread corruption and mismanagement.<\/p>\n
Gabriele was convicted and sentenced to 18 months in jail for stealing the papers, but he was subsequently pardoned by Benedict.
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