The Italian 007’s got a Papal warning. HEAVENLY SPIES? Pope Leo XIV Urges Italian Secret Agents Not to Blackmail Politicians, Journalists or the Church
Pope Leo meddling into geopolitics, law enforcement – how about taking care of the Church? – Photo Edgar Beltrán/Wiki Commons
The Italian 007’s got a Papal warning.
Pope Leo XIV continues to make headlines for engaging in issues well beyond his traditional spiritual mission. From weighing in on U.S. immigration policies to urging President Donald J. Trump to avoid military action against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in favor of economic sanctions, Leo’s recent focus has drawn attention—and now he’s turning his gaze toward Italian intelligence agents.
On Friday, December 12, the Pope met with officers from Italy’s secret services and reminded them to handle sensitive information responsibly. ABC News reported that Leo warned the agents not to misuse confidential data for blackmail or other improper purposes.
Pope tells Italian spies not to smear politicians or journalists https://t.co/mjlCvpuMNa https://t.co/mjlCvpuMNa
— Reuters World (@ReutersWorld) December 12, 2025
“Leo urged the 007s, as the Italian agents are popularly known, to conduct their work professionally and ethically, always respecting the human dignity of those involved in their investigations,” ABC News noted. The meeting marked what is believed to be the first audience between a pope and Italy’s intelligence services, which are celebrating their centennial this year. The Vatican and Italian secret services often collaborate, especially during significant events like this Holy Year, when roughly 30 million pilgrims are expected to visit Rome.
The Pope acknowledged the critical role of Italian agents but stressed the limits of their authority. He reportedly said they must remain “vigilant to ensure that confidential information is not used to intimidate, manipulate, blackmail, or discredit politicians, journalists, or other actors in civil society.”
While he did not elaborate, the reminder comes in the context of past controversies. Last year, the Vatican opened a criminal investigation into a leak involving its “trial of the century” concerning a London property investment. The leak coincided with an Italian probe into a financial police officer accused of illegally accessing a national database to pass sensitive information about politicians, business figures, and others to journalists.
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