Wednesday, July 15, 2026

Popular News

HomeNewsVaticanOrlandi case: New probe begins into ossuaries inside Vatican City

Orlandi case: New probe begins into ossuaries inside Vatican City


Investigations began on Saturday into 2 ossuaries found near the Vatican’s Teutonic Cemetery adjacent to the tombs of two 19th century German princesses whose tombs were recently found empty. The probe is connected with the mysterious disappearance 15-year old teenage girl 36 years ago, Emanuela Orlandi.

A new investigation began in the Vatican Saturday morning into two ossuaries found in an area adjacent to the tombs of two German princesses of the 19th century who were buried in the cemetery inside the walled city.  

“At 9 a.m. this morning, operations began regularly at the Teutonic Cemetery as part of the investigation of the Orlandi case,” said a statement by Alessandro Gisotti, the “ad interim” Director of the Holy See Press Office.

Emanuela Orlandi, a 15-year old daughter of a Vatican employee, disappeared mysteriously on June 22, 1983,  on her way home to the Vatican from a music lesson in downtown Rome.  Speculation regarding her disappearance and hypothetical ties with the Vatican have been rife for 36 years.

An anonymous tip to the Orlandi family had indicated one of the tombs at the Teutonic Cemetery as a possible burial place for the remains of the young woman.

When the tombs were opened on July 11, no human remains and no traces of coffins or urns were found

Popular News

Pope’s lunch with the poor: fragility as a source of strength for communities

Ahead of the Pope’s upcoming lunch with 200 vulnerable people, the Communications Coordinator of...

Refugees to share lunch with Pope Leo XIV

Thirteen refugees supported by the JRS’s “Centro Astalli” in Rome will join Pope Leo...

IOR appoints new member to Board of Superintendence

The IOR appoints Marina Natale to its Board of Superintendence, citing her extensive financial...

Caritas Venezuela: 14,700 tonnes of humanitarian aid received

The organisation has published its first official bulletin, providing figures and data on relief...