A letter by the Secretary of the International Tribunal into Crimes of Church and State alleges Pope Benedict XVI is asking the Italian government to grant him protection and immunity from legal prosecution.
On Thursday, the ITCCS issued a statement saying the Pope has requested to meet with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano on February 23rd. The Vatican Information Service has confirmed that the Pope is scheduled to meet with Napolitano on the 23rd.
The ITCCS claims the Pope sought the meeting to ask for immunity from prosecution by the Italian government. In a letter to Napolitano, ITCCS Secretary, Rev. Kevin Annett, says:
"I need not remind you, Mr. President, that under international law and treaties that have been ratified by Italy, you and your government are forbidden from granting such protection to those like Joseph Ratzinger [real name of Pope Benedict XVI] who have aided and abetted criminal actions, such as ordering Bishops and Cardinals in America and elsewhere to protect known child rapists among their clergy.
Your obligation to the Vatican through the Lateran Treaty does not negate or nullify the requirements of these higher moral and international laws; nor does it require that you give any protection or immunity to a single individual like Joseph Ratzinger, especially after he has left his papal office."
The letter goes on to point to "documented" crimes of child trafficking and torture, alleging that the crimes are linked to the Pope Benedict and other Vatican officials.
