Pope sets up commission to reform Vatican

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis, moving to overcome major crises in the Holy See, on Friday set up a special commission to reform its economic and administrative departments, the Vatican said.

The commission, which will report directly to the pope, would advise him on economic affairs, improve transparency and ensure correct application of accounting principles, the Vatican said. Francis had already established a separate commission on how to reform the Vatican bank. Both the bank and the Vatican's internal administration were hit by major scandals under Francis's predecessor Benedict XVI.