VATICAN CITY, MAY 15, 2012 (Zenit.org).- The director of the Vatican press office says the inspection of Enrico de Pedis’ tomb by Italian officials is a positive event, in efforts to solve the mystery of the disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi.
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi made a statement to the press after the inspection was made Monday.
Orlandi, a 15-year-old Vatican citizen, the daughter of a clerk of the Prefecture of the Papal Household, disappeared on June 22, 1983, in circumstances that were never clarified.
“The inspection carried out today at the tomb of Enrico De Pedis near the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare,» said Father Lombardi, «by the initiative of the investigating magistrate is certainly a positive event, which corresponds with what was hoped for, so that all the possible steps will be taken for the unfolding and conclusion of the investigations.”
“In regard to the transfer of the body to another place, as was also hoped for, it will be done in agreement with the relatives and according to their wishes,” added the Vatican spokesman. He concluded, affirming that “for its part, the magistracy can continue to count on the full collaboration of the ecclesiastical authorities.”
Orlandi’s case again brought public attention last month, at which time Father Lombardi made a statement that included this reference to the de Pedis tomb:
«Finally, since the location of the tomb of Enrico De Pedis at the Basilica of Apollinare has raised and continues to raise questions and cause discussion – even prescinding from its possible connection to the Orlandi kidnapping – we again stress that the Church will not prevent the inspection of the tomb or the burial of the corpse elsewhere, so that the proper peace, corresponding to the nature of a sacred place, be reestablished.»
De Pedis was a member of the Magliana mob who was killed some seven years after Orlandi disappeared. His ex-girlfriend apparently claimed that he was Orlandi’s kidnapper, and there was even an allegation that Orlandi might be buried with him.
Results of Monday’s investigation are expected at a later date.
