The Vatican is denying reports that an unnamed cardinal is involved in a deepening scandal over leaked papal documents that shed light on power struggles inside the highest levels of the Catholic church.
Vatican Spokesman Federico Lombardi denied Italian media reports Monday, saying no cardinal, Italian or otherwise, is being investigated as part of the probe. He said many Vatican officials were being questioned, but he did not elaborate.
The comments come as the Vatican attempts to contain rumors about the so-called 'Vatileaks' scandal, in which confidential documents, shedding light on church tax problems and power struggles, were leaked to Italian journalists.
Last week, Pope Benedict's butler, Paolo Gabriele, was arrested and charged with stealing papal documents that were found inside his Vatican city apartment. However, Italian newspapers, quoting other whistleblowers in the Vatican, say the butler could not have acted alone and was possibly doing the bidding of more powerful figures.