Vatican Bank investigator issues first report

Brulhart says laws, roles will be strengthened

VATICAN CITY — The director of the Vatican's Financial Intelligence Authority said the Vatican will further amend its finance-related laws in the coming months, increase screening of account holders at the Vatican bank and continue assessing the potential risk that accounts could be used for money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

Rene Brulhart, the Swiss finance lawyer hired to monitor the legality and transparency of Vatican financial activity, presented his office's first report at a May 22 news conference.