Family of missing teen hopeful after Vatican announces reopening of decades-old investigation

ROME

The brother of an Italian teen who disappeared in the summer of 1983, is hopeful for answers Sunday as the Vatican announced the reopening of an investigation into the decades-old case.

Pietro Orlandi held his annual sit-in near the Vatican for the 55th birthday of his missing sister, Emanuela Orlandi.

Orlandi praised the decision to reopen the case after 40 years. He told reporters the investigation should be “serious” not “propaganda.”

He noted that listening to several people who came into direct contact with the case, notably former Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone and Monsignor Georg Ganswein, private secretary to Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, was necessary.

He also reiterated his demand that Pope Francis share all information on the case.

The Vatican said Tuesday it reopened the investigation.

Emanuela Orlandi, who was the daughter of a Vatican employee, mysteriously disappeared in Rome.

Despite speculations in the media that her remains were found, there was no solid evidence in her case for decades.

Rumors have swirled for years about what happened as many became obsessed with Orlandi’s fate.

Conspiracy theories tied her case to the mafia and to the plot to assassinate Pope John Paul II.

Orlandi disappeared when Turkish national Mehmet Ali Agca was in jail -- charged with plotting to assassinate the pope.