Bertone denies renovation allegations amid VatiLeaks 2

(ANSA) - Rome, November 5 - Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the former Vatican secretary of state, on Thursday rejected allegations contained in a book in the middle of the new Vatican leaked-documents scandal that he paid for renovations to his 'top-floor' apartment with money from a foundation linked to a children's hospital in Rome.
    The allegations are contained in Avarice by L'Espersso journalist Emiliano Fittipaldi, which is out in Italy on Thursday.
    In an interview with Corriere della Sera newspaper Bertone described the allegations as "slander".
    "It is shameful, I don't know how to defend myself, it is almost impossible to defend oneself from slander," he said.
    Cardinal Bertone insisted that he had paid for the 300,000-euro renovations out of his own pocket even though the apartment belonged to the Vatican governorate.
    He also denied knowledge of an alleged 200,000-euro payment made by the Bambin Gesù Foundation on his behalf.
    "So they say. Only later did I discover that invoices had also been presented to the Bambin Gesù Foundation. I saw nothing. And I exclude having ever given indication or authorised the foundation to make any payment," the cardinal said. Bertone also denied living in luxury.
    "The apartment measures 296 square metres and I don't live there on my own. I live with a community of nuns who help me," the prelate said. He added that the apartment is on the third floor and that the terrace is part of the building's communal area and as such is accessible to everyone living there.