An ailing Mali archbishop facing allegations of financial impropriety assured the Vatican on Tuesday he plans to show up at St Peter's Basilica to be made a cardinal by Pope Francis.
Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said Archbishop of Bamako Jean Zerbo "has confirmed his presence" at the Wednesday ceremony where he and four other churchmen will be elevated to rank of cardinal.
European media have speculated that Francis might not make Archbishop Zerbo cardinal following reports that he and two other Mali bishops had opened Swiss bank accounts totalling 12 million euros ($13.5 million).
