Vatican rejects claim it owes in bank default

The Vatican, saying it was deceived by the Banco Ambrosiano, which collapsed in August owing more than $1 billion, rejected Italian government claims that it is responsible for the debts. The Vatican never received any money from the bank and therefore has none to repay, Secretary of State Agostino Cardinal Casaroli told the College of Cardinals.

In a separate report, the auxiliary bishop of San Salvador announced that Pope John Paul II will visit El Salvador next February or March.