Pope Francis’ problematic secret decrees in spotlight in Vatican’s ‘trial of the century’

Defense lawyers in the Vatican’s “trial of the century” argued Tuesday that Pope Francis inadvertently violated the fundamental rights of their clients by issuing four secret decrees that gave prosecutors “surreal carte blanche” to investigate in ways reminiscent of a “fascist” state where laws aren’t published. At one point, the tribunal president asked defense lawyers to refrain from citing Francis by name. The request underscored how Francis’ problematic role in the trial poses something of an existential dilemma for the Holy See. On one hand, popes can only be judged by God; on the other, Francis stands accused of issuing decrees that violated defendants’ God-given rights.