Two employees of the Vatican were removed from their posts after being involved in a homosexual prostitution ring, in what constitutes a new scandal that splashes to the Holy See.

An aide to Pope Benedict XVI and a member of a choir of the Basilica of St. Peter were expelled from their posts after their names appeared on transcripts of telephone conversations intercepted by police, who in turn were published by an Italian newspaper.

A Vatican spokesman told the BBC that the Pope is informed of the case.

"The Vatican's gay sex scandal, as some newspapers call it, captures headlines in Italy," the BBC correspondent in Rome, Duncan Kennedy.

"According to reports, Thomas Ehiem-a showgirl Vatican aged 29, allegedly would have been an intermediary who then sought out young men who would argue with Angelo Balducci homosexual encounters," said our correspondent.

According to Kennedy, Balducci is a 'Gentleman of His Holiness', ie, a close aide to the pope when he meets with important visitors.
Dialogues

The conversations leaked to the press include a dialogue between the two men.

The transcripts suggest that Ehiem got at least ten contacts to Balducci, including several models and a rugby player.

Duncan Kennedy BBC correspondent in Rome

"In one call, Balducci Ehiem asks if he has' spoken to the seminary." Meanwhile, Ehiem replied: 'Perhaps you are at Mass,' "said Kennedy.

"In another conversation, another man Ehiem described as" 2 meters, 97 kilos, is 33 years old and fully active '. "

"The transcripts suggest that Ehiem got at least ten contacts to Balducci, including several models and a rugby player," said Kennedy.

According to police, the telephone interceptions Balducci were carried out in connection with another separate investigation and not linked to the Vatican "on corruption, our correspondent said.

It is understood that Ethiem sang against Pope Benedict XVI at Christmas as part of its obligations in the Vatican choir.

Balducci's role as a Gentleman of His Holiness includes assisting in the events where heads of state are involved and carry the coffin at the papal funeral, Kennedy concluded.

Additional info: At News Minute by Minute.