Chinese Hackers Behind Cyberattacks Targeting the Vatican

VATICAN CITY, KOMPAS.com — Alleged Chinese state-backed hackers have targeted the Vatican and the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong ahead of talks of a landmark 2018 deal.

The deal helped thaw diplomatic relations between China and the Vatican, according to a monitoring group.

The hackers are thought to come from the RedDelta group in which the alleged group began their cyberattack operations in May with an eye on September talks.

Next month, the Vatican and China are expected to engage in discussions to renew a provisional agreement on bishop appointments.

That was according to a Tuesday report by the US-based Recorded Future, which tracks state-backed cyberattacks.

The cyberattacks targeting the Vatican were first reported by the New York Times.

The Vatican had no immediate comment. The Chinese foreign ministry denied any involvement, calling the report ‘’groundless speculation.’’

Recorded Future said that the Hong Kong Study Mission to China — a key link between the Vatican and China — and the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions also were targeted.

‘’The suspected intrusion into the Vatican would offer RedDelta insight into the negotiating position of the Holy See ahead of the deal’s September 2020 renewal,’’ the report said.

It also could provide ‘’valuable intelligence’’ about Hong Kong-based Catholic entities’ position on the pro-democracy movement.

The attacks continued at least through July 21.

They included an apparent phishing attempt with a document on Vatican Secretariat of State letterhead directed to the head of the Hong Kong Study Mission to China.

China’s estimated 12 million Catholics are split between those belonging to the government-backed Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, which is outside the pope’s authority, and an underground church loyal to the pope.

Underground priests and parishioners are frequently detained and harassed.

A landmark 2018 deal between the Holy See and China on bishop nominations was aimed at uniting the flock, regularizing the status of seven bishops who were not recognized by Rome and thawing decades of estrangement between China and the Vatican.