VATICAN CITY
Telegraph (UK)

Former Vatican secretary of state is combining two apartments for a 6,500 square foot residence just as Francis urges clergy to adopt a more modest lifestyle

By Josephine McKenna, Rome 20 Apr 2014

The Vatican’s former secretary of state has reportedly angered Pope Francis with his plans to move into a luxury 6,500 square foot apartment as the pope urges clergy to adopt a more modest lifestyle.

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, 79, was secretary of state from 2006 to 2013 and briefly in charge of the Holy See and its administration when Pope Benedict XVI suddenly resigned last February.

After his election Pope Francis appointed Cardinal Pietro Parolin to replace him as secretary of state.

According to the Italian daily La Repubblica, Cardinal Bertone’s lavish restructure of an apartment in the San Carlo Palace inside the walls of the Vatican is causing unease.

The flat is…