Vatican condemns leaks seeking to undermine financial reforms and pope's finance czar

FILE - In this Oct. 6, 2014 file photo Cardinal George Pell arrives for a morning session of a synod on family issues, at the Vatican. Pope Francis' finance czar is coming under intense scrutiny after ruffling feathers at the Vatican as he seeks to impose order on its unruly finances. Italian weekly L'Espresso reported in its Friday, Feb. 27, 2015 editions that Cardinal George Pell's economy secretariat had run up a half-million euros (dollars) in expenses in the first six months of its existence. The total includes seemingly legitimate expenses, including computers and printers, but also a 2,508 euro bill from the famed Gamarelli clergy tailor. The expenditures are notable given that Pell has instituted a spending review across the Vatican to ensure any excess money is spent on the poor, L'Espresso noted. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE - In this Oct. 6, 2014 file photo Cardinal George Pell waves to photographers as he arrives for a morning session of a synod on family issues, at the Vatican. Pope Francis' finance czar is coming under intense scrutiny after ruffling feathers at the Vatican as he seeks to impose order on its unruly finances. Italian weekly L'Espresso reported in its Friday, Feb. 27, 2015 editions that Cardinal George Pell's economy secretariat had run up a half-million euros (dollars) in expenses in the first six months of its existence. The total includes seemingly legitimate expenses, including computers and printers, but also a 2,508 euro bill from the famed Gamarelli clergy tailor. The expenditures are notable given that Pell has instituted a spending review across the Vatican to ensure any excess money is spent on the poor, L'Espresso noted. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File) (The Associated Press)

The Vatican spokesman is condemning leaks of documents detailing power struggles inside the Holy See and the expenditures of Pope Francis' new finance czar.

Italy's L'Expresso weekly published the cover story Friday detailing opposition to Cardinal George Pell's financial reform and revealing that his Secretariat for the Economy had spent a half million euros (dollars) in the last six months. Some of the expenses seem legitimate for a new office, but one was a 2,508-euro bill from Rome's swank Gamarelli tailor.

The Vatican spokesman, Rev. Federico Lombardi, said leaks are illegal and must be condemned. He said it was normal that there's differing opinions on complicated economic and legal issues. And he criticized as "unworthy and petty" the attacks on Pell, saying his ministry was moving ahead efficiently.