prelate

The statement was signed off by Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, an Argentine prelate who is a theological adviser to Francis.

The prelate's alarm was informed by the 24,000 election observers fielded by the Catholic and Protestant churches.

The prelate noted the dilemma posed by “Fiducia Supplians,” released on Dec. 18, in which the church declares such blessings may be performed.

The prelate labeled the view that such blessings were a “first step” towards the acceptance of same-sex marriage as “totally incorrect,” saying those who believe that “has either not read the text or is ‘in a bad mood,’” the newspaper reported.

And so it emerged in late 2022, when Perlasca was being questioned on the stand, that Chaouqui had engaged in an elaborate plot with a Perlasca family friend to persuade the prelate to turn on Becciu.