The Vatican faces accusations of money laundering by altering international transactions, damaging the institution's image.

The new pope, Pope Leo XIV, is facing serious allegations of manipulating international bank transfers using a 'universal key for money laundering'. Former auditor Libero Milone alleges that the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See was able to change the details of transactions in the SWIFT system, hiding the identity of senders and recipients. If the allegations are confirmed, the Vatican risks exclusion from the international banking system. Milone has taken legal action, providing evidence of millions of euros in fraud.