The Vatican: Ukrainian Accusations Against IOR Bank Are Unfounded “Conjectures”

After the Ukrainian leadership again attacked Pope Francis last week, branding him an “untrustworthy pro-Russian mediator,” the Holy See could not help but respond, calling statements by Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak about the Vatican Bank, the so-called “Institute of Religious Affairs” (Istituto per le Opere di Religione, IOR), unfounded “conjectures.”
In a lengthy interview with the Channel 24 Ukrainian TV channel, Podolyak heavily criticized Pope Francis, ruling out the possibility of his “mediating role” in the armed conflict in Ukraine.
But the absurd and completely unfounded accusations did not end there: a functionary close to President Zelensky mentioned some “investment of the Russian Federation in the Vatican Bank” and called for “analyzing all this in more detail.”
Accused in such an offensive manner and placed under suspicion, the Institute of Religious Affairs issued a statement on Saturday, September 9, in which it completely refuted these “conjectures.”
The IOR “categorically” rejected the Ukrainian official’s “conjectures,” which are “based on nothing,” and should be “regarded as insignificant.”
“Such activities are not only untrue, but also impossible due to the harsh policies of the IOR under the regime of international sanctions that fully apply to the financial sector,” the Vatican Bank said in a statement.
“Firstly,” the Bank emphasized, “IOR does not accept as clients institutions or individuals that do not have close relations with the Holy See and the Catholic Church. Secondly, IOR is a controlled financial intermediary operating through international correspondent banks with the highest authority and impeccable reputation, which operate to the highest international standards.”