Angelo Balducci

Pope Benedict XVI has been humiliated by a gay sex scandal located in the very centre of the pontiff's power base. The scandal involves a gay prostitution ring operating within the Vatican.

Angelo Balducci, member of the an elite Catholic group called Gentlemen of His Holiness, was caught on tape ordering at  least 10 rent boys - over a period of five months - from Chinedu Ehiem, a Vatican chorister. Among the ten were a former male model, a rugby player and a number of men studying for the priesthood.

Balducci's activities only came to light because he was being investigated due to suspicions that he was involved in widespread corruption. A senior Italian government official, it is alleged he gave lucrative public works contracts to cronies.

The Pope has not commented on the scandal.