Crime

Vatican Allows Exhumation of Famed Mobster In Bizarre Unsolved Kidnapping Case

ROME (The Blaze/AP) — Coroners and medical technicians swarmed the crypt of a Roman basilica on Monday to exhume the body of a reputed mobster as part of an investigation into one of the Vatican’s enduring mysteries: the 1983 disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi, the teenage daughter of a Vatican employee.

The stench of sewage filled the courtyard next to Rome‘s Sant’Apollinare basilica where Enrico De Pedis was buried. Medical personnel in white pantsuits and masks milled about under a blue tent where his body was believed to have been taken for initial tests.

Vatican to Allow Exhumation of Famed Mobster Enrico De Pedis | Kidnapping

Emanuela Orlandi (AP)

De Pedis, a member of Rome’s Magliana mob, was killed in 1990. His one-time girlfriend has reportedly said he kidnapped Orlandi, and an anonymous caller in 2005 told a call-in television show that the answer to Orlandi’s disappearance lay in his tomb.

Amid a new push to resolve the case, the Vatican said last month it had no objections to opening the tomb.

Emanuela Orlandi was 15 when she disappeared in 1983 after leaving her family’s Vatican City apartment to go to a music lesson in Rome. Her father was a lay employee of the Holy See.

Vatican to Allow Exhumation of Famed Mobster Enrico De Pedis | Kidnapping

Enrico De Pedis

There had initially been speculation that her kidnapping was linked in some way to the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II, which had occurred two years earlier, and the jailing of the gunman, Ali Agca.

Doubts have also been cast on whether the Vatican itself had cooperated fully with the investigation. In a lengthy statement last month, the Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi insisted the Holy See had done everything possible to try to resolve the case.

Outside the basilica, Orlandi‘s brother Pietro Orlandi said the move to exhume the tomb was a step forward in the investigation into his sisters’ disappearance.

“I think it’s something very positive, both from the point of view of the Vatican and the prosecutors,” he told reporters.

Speculation has long swirled around the location of De Pedis’ tomb, since it’s buried in a prominent church alongside prominent Catholics – an unusual final resting place for a reputed local mobster. Sant‘Apollinare church is right next to the elegant Piazza Navona in Rome’s historic center and is adjacent to the Opus Dei-run Pontifical Holy Cross University.

Vatican to Allow Exhumation of Famed Mobster Enrico De Pedis | Kidnapping

The Rev. Federico Lombardi (AP)

Last month, media reports questioned the mobster’s burial location, claiming that the Vatican was paid a substantial amount of money to allow for de Padis’ post-mortem placement near popes and cardinals. Here’s what Business Insider published back on April 30:

In the most recent scandal involving the Vatican, the Church allegedly accepted a sum of one billion lire (about $660,000) in 1990 to bury the remains of mobster Enrico de Pedis in a basilica, next to various popes and cardinals, The Independent reports.

The paper cites a source from ANSA.it (though the report appears to be offline) who says that “despite initial reluctance” the then vicar-general of Rome, Cardinal Ugo Poletti, “in the face of such a conspicuous sum, gave his blessing” to the arrangement, despite the fact that de Pedis had been the head of the notorious Magliana gang. The money was reportedly used on missions and to restore the Basilica. The Vatican has refused to comment.

Regardless of whether this claim is true, it certainly adds intrigue to the overall case. Either way, the people continue to question why a criminal would be allowed such a prominent placement.

In this most recent investigation, among those in the courtyard speaking with medical personnel was the rector of the basilica, Msgr. Pedro Huidobro, who oddly enough was a coroner before being ordained a priest.

Comments (12)

  • seeker2
    Posted on May 14, 2012 at 3:00pm

    The Catholic Church teaches that all sins can be forgiven if one truly seeks forgiveness. Who knows what happened prior to DePedis’s death? So, I am not able to judge the man like so many are willing to do.

    I am glad the Vatican agreed to the opening of the tomb, just to cause the speculation to cease. History shows us that in the more than 2,000 years of existence, some bad people have ended up in positions of power in the Church. However, the vast majority of clergy are good people trying to do the will of God. Some people jump a little too readily to the conclusion that the Vatican is a force for evil. An objective look at the history of the Church shows that it largely has been a force for good. Even some of the errors were mistakes made for the right reasons. To be fair, one must judge things in the context of the times. So, if the Church accepted money to renovate the basilica and allowed a Catholic to be buried in sacred ground, so what? I do wish that the kidnapping could be solved.

    Report Post »  
  • Judeo_Christian
    Posted on May 14, 2012 at 2:27pm

    REALLY Blaze Editors? How is this article significant news to the readership of The Blaze? Is there a reason why you continually single out Catholicism? Hmm?

    I bet if you did a brief search on the web for crimes and/or child abuse, along with any protestant denomination (including Mormons) you would get a stellar cast of characters and a boat load of articles you could post but don’t as you apparently have a particular ax to grind.

    Include all Christian denominations in your hit article selection or leave them all out. There are enough bigots and bigotry out there without The Blaze joining the fray.

    Hopefully “Restoring Love” is more than a catch phrase.

    Shame on you!

    Report Post » Judeo_Christian  
    • ronin_6
      Posted on May 14, 2012 at 3:35pm

      You just now are figuring out they have an ax to grind? Of course they do. As does MSNBC and FOX and CNN and Drudge etc. Do you expect fair middle of the road stories on this site?

      Report Post » ronin_6  
    • Judeo_Christian
      Posted on May 14, 2012 at 5:45pm

      I expect and want The Blaze to be a site which has a Conservative take on the news. I fail to see however how alienating conservative Catholics, such as myself, with articles, such as this one, which do not have anything to do with assisting the Conservative point of view.

      “The Truth Has No Agenda”…I agree with this concept. However, the choice of articles in which the editor chooses to publish, without exception, has everything to do with an agenda. The serial nature of the negative articles on the goings on within the Catholic Church or Vatican, or Catholics are quite probably iniquitous and have little to do with making sure the “truth” is being told.

      “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone…”

      The Peace of Christ be with you all.

      Report Post » Judeo_Christian  
    • Seede
      Posted on May 15, 2012 at 10:17am

      Am a protestant myself but agree with you 100% – Seems as though there is a vendetta against the Catholic people. Catholics are probably better Christians than most other people that I am aware of. I do know for a fact that they do practice what they preach when it comes to helping people of all denominations. I wish that all people would do as well as they do. As far as corruption is concerned I do not believe they are any more corrupt than any other people..The spot light is always on them and this makes it seem larger than it really is. If there is a heaven and you get there you just might be surprised how many Catholics are there waiting for you.

      Report Post »  
  • LibertyGoddess
    Posted on May 14, 2012 at 2:07pm

    I am not a Catholic, but I would like to encourage posters not to bash the Catholic religion over this. This is the actions of a few, even in the Vatican, it does not have anything to do with the doctrines or works of a benevolent organization. Same goes with all other religions, except those whose doctrines call for the killing of others.

    Report Post » LibertyGoddess  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on May 14, 2012 at 12:38pm

    It is sad that money can allow a mobster to be buried with cardinals and bishops in a church owned tombs. Apparently…..money still runs much of the Vatican’s morality. What is next….. the selling of indulgences and heaven like they did in medieval times?

    Report Post »  
  • mycomet123
    Posted on May 14, 2012 at 11:29am

    Apparently MONEY can buy you anything at the Vatican!!!!!

    Report Post »  
    • conservativewoman
      Posted on May 14, 2012 at 12:28pm

      @MYCOMET123
      I guess you would believe anything the media reports if it suits your bigotry. These are “allegations” and the press is very anti-Catholic. Someday when religious freedom is no longer a right, it will be because people who have been brainwashed by the media that Christianity is bad, will be guilty of letting it happen.

      Report Post » conservativewoman  
  • Sirfoldallot
    Posted on May 14, 2012 at 10:39am

    We can find fault with just about any relegion but not Obama, WTH ?

    Report Post » Sirfoldallot  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on May 14, 2012 at 10:33am

    I still don’t understand what they are looking for, DNA? Do they even know what they are looking for?

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • LibertyGoddess
      Posted on May 14, 2012 at 2:06pm

      News outlets are reporting that another set of bones has been found with the mobsters. It is probably the missing teenager.

      Report Post » LibertyGoddess  

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