With regard to the statements made by Councillor Mychajlo Podoljak in an interview granted to a Ukrainian press outlet, the IOR wishes to clarify the following:

The Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR) neither receives nor invests money from Russia.

The IOR strongly rejects the Councillor's inferences that the IOR is investing Russian money.

In addition to being untrue, such activity would also be impossible in view of the IOR's stringent policies and the international sanctions that also apply to the financial sector.

Firstly, the IOR does not accept, as clients, institutions or individuals who do not have a close relationship with the Holy See and the Catholic Church.

Secondly, the IOR is a supervised financial intermediary, operating through international correspondent banks of the highest standing and impeccable reputation that are bound by international standards.

Statements made to the contrary in the press are based on nothing and must, therefore, be considered as such.

Vatican City, 9 September 2023