Baltasar Garzón: Pope Francis 'could perfectly open' Vatican 'dicatorship' files

Ex Spanish judge and adviser of La Haya International Court of Justice Baltasar Garzón stated that Pope Francis “could perfectly open the Vatican’s files” in order to reveal the communications and "all the information" sent to Argentina during the 1976-1983 military dictatorship.

“It would be very positive and it would be a sign of cooperation and support to the victims of state terrorismo,” Garzón considered.

In that sense, the also adviser of the Lower House Human Rights Committee made reference to the reports that diplomats to the Vatican could have sent during those dark years and affirmed that “victims” of the ruling Junta “turned to the Church” in search of help. “It is known that during the dictatorship the victims turned to the Church (just) like the Mothers and Grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo sent missives to pope John Paul II,” he pointed out.

In statements to media, Baltasar Garzón considered that it is the role of the judges who carry out the investigations over crimes against humanity to request the files. “As judge, I would do it,” he warned.