Australian Federal Police (AFP) have concluded there was no evidence of criminal misconduct in the transfer of an estimated $9 million from the Vatican to Australia between 2014 and 2020.
In a statement released today, the AFP said no criminal misconduct had been found.
“The AFP has completed analysis of the financial intelligence provided by AUSTRAC in relation to payments from the Vatican to Australia,” it said.
“No criminal misconduct has been identified to date.
“If the AFP receives additional information from Australian or international partners it will be reviewed accordingly.”
AUSTRAC’s original report about the fund transfer was described at the time by the Vatican as “science fiction”.
Australian Cardinal George Pell, who was the Vatican’s treasurer from 2014 to 2017, is currently in Rome.
