Vatican City – On Sunday, Pope Francis publicly defended St. John Paul II, denouncing insinuations against the late pontiff as “offensive and baseless”.
This comes after Pietro Orlandi, the brother of a missing Italian teenager, met with Vatican prosecutors for hours earlier this month, leading to the reopening of an investigation into the girl’s disappearance. Italy’s Parliament has also begun an inquest into the case.
In his remarks to tourists and pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis aimed to interpret the sentiments of the faithful worldwide by expressing his gratitude to the memory of the Polish pontiff. Francis stated that the insinuations against John Paul II were “offensive and baseless,” while praising his predecessor’s work in promoting human rights, interfaith dialogue, and the defense of life.
“Confident of interpreting the sentiment of all the faithful of the entire world, I direct a grateful thought to the memory of St. John Paul II, in these days the object of offensive and baseless insinuations,” Francis said in a visibly stern tone.
The renewed investigation into the disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi, who was last seen leaving a music lesson in Rome in 1983 at the age of 15, has reignited conspiracy theories and allegations of a Vatican cover-up. Some have suggested that she was kidnapped by a criminal organization with ties to the Vatican, while others have pointed fingers at the so-called “Pecorelli List,” a purported list of high-ranking members of the Vatican accused of various crimes.
The allegations against John Paul II specifically relate to his relationship with former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who was defrocked by Francis in 2019 following an investigation into sexual abuse allegations against him. Some have accused John Paul II of ignoring or covering up McCarrick’s misconduct, while others have suggested that he was complicit in the abuse himself.
However, the Vatican has denied any wrongdoing on John Paul II’s part and defended his legacy, citing his role in promoting interfaith dialogue and his opposition to the death penalty and other forms of violence. In a statement released on Sunday, the Vatican said that the recent insinuations against the late pope were “offensive and defamatory” and called for respect for his memory.
The renewed investigation into Emanuela Orlandi’s disappearance has also sparked renewed interest in the case, with Italian media reporting on new leads and possible suspects. The parliamentary commission of inquiry is set to investigate the case and potentially shed light on what happened to the missing teenager.
In his remarks on Sunday, Pope Francis did not address the specifics of the investigation or the allegations against John Paul II, instead focusing on his predecessor’s legacy and the sentiments of the faithful. He expressed his gratitude for John Paul II’s work in promoting human dignity and encouraged those present to follow his example by working for peace and justice in the world.