Concordat Watch references

Prime Minister Monti declined reconsider the tax-exempt status of the church in future austerity measures, saying in December 2011 that the matter was still before the European Commission. It was to decide whether or not the Vatican's commercial enterprises had profited unfairly from Church tax exemptions. However in February 2012, shortly before the EC's verdict was due, he changed his tune. He announced that the Vatican would henceforth pay property tax — without specifying how much — and that, therefore, the EC should not demand that the Vatican make payments for back taxes. In the face of austerity, the exemptions for Church-run businesses and other subsidies to the Vatican are facing unaccustomed criticism from the Italian public.

At a press conference the Cameroonian Archbishop and President of the National Episcopal Conference, Mgr Victor Tonye Bakot, warned the press against "media lynching" after reports that he had set up a fraudulent network to squeeze money out of Cameroonians in the name of preparations to welcome the Pope.