Director and Vice Director appointed to Vatican’s Financial Information Authority

The Holy See Press Office announced on Wednesday afternoon that Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, has appointed a Director and Vice Director to the Financial Information Authority (AIF).

Giusepp Schlitzer enters as AIF’s Director, replacing Tommaso Di Ruzza who completed his 5-year mandate as of last 20 January. This post was first held by Francesco De Pasquale (2011-2013) and René Brülhart (2013-2014).

Federico Antellini Russo has been appointed to the position of Vice Director. He has been preceded by Alfredo Pallini (2011-2012) and Tommaso Di Ruzza (2014-15).

Financial Information Authority

Pope Benedict XVI established AIF in 2010. It oversees the financial intelligence unit and seeks to prevent and counter money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Pope Francis further consolidated this Vatican entity in 2013. It is a member of the Egmont Group, a network of finance intelligence units at the global level.