Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Vatican, which rarely lowers itself to issuing speedy press statements, has reacted with exceptional alacrity in denying ownership of a new internet address called "vatican.xxx", which is designed to host pornography.
"This domain is not available because it has been acquired by someone else, but not the Vatican," Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi told Vatican radio.
Father Lombardi's terse statement suggested that the Vatican may have tried to acquire the domain in order to prevent future misuse but had been beaten to it by the unknown buyer.
Although no additional clarification was provided, the Holy See would no doubt have been keen to counter any opportunity for further embarrassments following a series of serious sex scandals that have exploded in the past few years, ranging from accusations of widespread clerical paedophilia to rent-boy services organised at St Peter's.
In March last year, it emerged that one of the Pope's ceremonial ushers, as well as a member of the elite Vatican choir, were involved in a gay prostitution ring.
"Two black Cuban lads", a former male model from Naples, and a rugby player from Rome were among those said to have been procured for Angelo Balducci, a member of the exclusive Papal Gentlemen fraternity.
Numerous organisations, including companies and museums, have already registered "xxx" domains in their names to prevent misuse. ICM Registry, the company selling the new internet domains, provided a 30-day "sunrise period" in which brands could reserve their own trademarks before they went on general sale.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments