Vatican Police Arrest Former Employee for Attempted Sale of Stolen 17th-Century Bernini Manuscript

Vatican police have arrested a former employee for allegedly attempting to sell a stolen 17th-century manuscript by Italian Baroque master Gian Lorenzo Bernini back to the Vatican. The manuscript, which had previously disappeared from the Vatican archives, was offered for sale to the city-state.

The 18-page document, adorned with gilded miniatures, is significant as it contains the earliest details of the decorative features in the canopy of St. Peter's Basilica, designed by Bernini. Recognized as the leading master of Italian Baroque architecture in the 17th century, Bernini's works include the famous colonnade that encircles St. Peter's Square.

The suspect, arrested on May 27 on charges of attempted extortion, previously worked for the Fabric of St. Peter, the institution responsible for the conservation and maintenance of St. Peter's Basilica. He remains in custody at the Vatican and has been questioned twice in recent days. Vatican prosecutors are expected to decide next week whether to formally indict him.

The investigation began after the Fabric of St. Peter filed a complaint. Authorities arrested the man when he returned the manuscript to the Vatican, demanding 120,000 euros ($130,716) for its return.

Italian daily Domani first reported the incident, identifying the suspect as a former head of communications for the Fabric. The suspect allegedly attempted to sell the manuscript to Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, the archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica. The missing manuscript is now back in the Vatican's possession.