Pope Francis said that "there seems to be a management misconduct" regarding the financial scandal of the Vatican's investment in real estate in London.

Responding to media reports on a flight back to Rome on November 26 after an Asian tour, Pope Francis said documents were confiscated by Vatican police during last month's raid on the Vatican's Financial Information Authority. (AIF) "appears to indicate irregularities in its management".

The pope also said that Tommaso Di Ruzza, the director of AIF, was suspended in connection with suspicion of administrative violations. However, the Pope stressed that he believed Ruzza was innocent. The Holy See on November 26 has not commented on the information.

The main function of the AIF is to prevent financial crime in the Vatican, overseeing the strengthening of the Vatican Bank (IOR), which has been involved in many financial scandals. Last month's raid by the Vatican police on the AIF and the administrative and executive bodies of the Holy See, made after the IOR's complaint, which rejected the Vatican Ministry's request for a 110 million loan. USD to pour capital to buy a building in Chelsea, London.

The Pope's opinion seems to put him at odds with the AIF leadership. The agency last month declared full confidence in Di Ruzza's professional competence, giving him respect and praise.

Last week, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis unexpectedly removed Rene Brulhart, president of the AIF council, without giving any specific reason. Two other members of the five-member council later resigned to protest the Pope's decision.

Earlier this month, Egmont Group, a network of more than 160 financial intelligence units from countries around the world, suspended AIF access to their systems. This is a system that helps members share information about money laundering and financial crime. Those approached the problem said the Egmont Group had lost faith in the AIF after last month's raid by Vatican police.

Pope Francis said on November 26 that the Egmont Group is a useful private group but not an international financial regulator. Moneyval, the legal authority overseeing money laundering activities in Europe is expected to evaluate the Vatican's financial scandal next year.