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Mystic on Trial for Fraud Over Weeping Statue

11/13/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Gisella Cardia, a self-proclaimed mystic near Rome, goes on trial for alleged fraud over a statue she claimed wept blood; her husband is accused of staging fake apparitions and soliciting €365,000 from pilgrims.
The Catholic Church has declared Cardia a fraud and tightened rules on supernatural claims.
Cardia has a history of bankruptcy fraud and says the trial will clarify matters.
The Vatican has dismissed other alleged apparitions as non-supernatural.

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Story summary

Gisella Cardia, a self-proclaimed mystic near Rome, goes on trial for alleged fraud over a statue she claimed wept blood; her husband is accused of staging fake apparitions and soliciting €365,000 from pilgrims.
The Catholic Church has declared Cardia a fraud and tightened rules on supernatural claims.
Cardia has a history of bankruptcy fraud and says the trial will clarify matters.
The Vatican has dismissed other alleged apparitions as non-supernatural.