For the launch of a book to be released shortly, this morning two Italian newspapers published a document supposedly originating from the Holy See that attests to the payment by the Vatican of large sums of money to handle the stay outside Italy of Emanuela Orlandi, who disappeared in Rome on 22 June 1983.

The Secretary of State firmly refutes the authenticity of the document and declares the information contained therein to be entirely false and unfounded.

It is especially sad that these false publications, which also dishonour the Holy See, exacerbate the immense pain of the Orlandi family, to whom the Secretary of State affirms his heartfelt solidarity.