Becciu's defenders: "But what an investigation, that book is just a bluff"

"Boasted and trumpeted as one of the most compelling investigations of recent times, an exciting and well-documented story on Pope Francis' mission of reform, even as an investigation" of the century "(sic!), The reading of" Amen ", the self-styled journey of Massimiliano Coccia between the alleged secrets of the Vatican, instead reveals and confirms the substance of the anticipations and, above all, of the previous publications of its author: an authentic bluff ». From the board of defense of Cardinal Angelo Becciu a slamming without remedy of a book also presented in Sardinia, in Florinas, during a literary festival ("Florinas in giallo") with the participation of the same author, writer of the first articles published on " L'Espresso "and costing" Don Angelino "his renunciation of cardinalate functions, now partially returned." Just scrolling the beginning of the volume to grasp the level of quality and accuracy of the work. The protagonist is Angelo Maria Becciu. In the book the cardinal is always called that, it cannot be an oversight. When instead his exact name, read and reread in hundreds of chronicles, is Giovanni Angelo Becciu. We are at the ABC of journalism ».

"No feedback"

For the rest, the constant is that of systematic, obsessive slander. «Which leaves us surprised at first, then disappointed, finally disconcerted and incredulous. Because, in the face of facts and affirmations, theses and inferences, there is never a documentary confirmation, confirmation or counter-proof. The few documents cited are extemporaneous, inconsistent, only incidental ”, we read again in the note from the defense college of the cardinal of Pattata. «A book, another disconcerting element, which ignores every result that is emerging from the debate underway in the Vatican courtrooms. A process that, for Coccia, is as if it did not exist, at most an irrelevant detail and not the most authentic effort to ascertain the truth in the contradiction between the parties ».

The London Palace

«The emblematic example, the most incisive, is that of the London palace: Cardinal Becciu has nothing to do with the controversial and disastrous sale for the Vatican in Sloane Avenue, without any shadow of doubt. But, despite the repeated feedback highlighted in the trial, the author of the book (never registered in one of the register of the Order of Journalists but to which L'Espresso entrusted one of the hottest inquiries in its history) ignores them and repeats as the former deputy to the Secretariat of State "was the diabolical architect of those obscure financial and real estate trades." The journalistic investigation, according to Monsignor Becciu's lawyers, immediately shows itself for what it is: "fake". «The incredible, continuous and systematic use of anonymous informants to support or confirm the most absurd contents is impressive. It is the apotheosis of anti-journalism: to support sensational information, self-styled scoops and revelations, sources are cited without the possibility of naming them ». If the "blatant neglect of the procedural course, consistent with the method adopted" were not enough, the author is careful not to ask Cardinal Becciu for comments or confirmations of his improbable arguments. "This too, everyone knows, is part of the foundations of the journalistic profession." In short, the book risks having serious legal consequences for the author, not insignificant. The cardinal's lawyers have already evaluated and analyzed him from every critical point of view. In the background remain, still unanswered, the questions formulated "hotly" the day after that September 24 two years ago: how is it possible that L'Espresso, almost eight hours before that dramatic hearing, announced the "resignation" of Becciu? That at 3.44 pm on the same 24 September he published a page on his website with the title “This is why Cardinal Becciu resigned”?

"Lessons not required"

«The presence of the author of those articles in Florinas falls - according to Becciu's lawyers - into the typical and ancient vice of the" continental "to disembark on the island to give lessons to the Sardinians on what is happening in Rome and its surroundings. In this case, deliver us a tirade about national and international intrigues, even those of the Holy See. Better than Dan Brown. There are no doubts".

Paolo Matta