In an alarming development, Vatican sources are reporting that Robert, Cardinal Sarah was yesterday arrested by a detachment of the Swiss Guard, and has been incarcerated in the Castel Sant’Angelo.

Friends of the Cardinal have been refused access to him, and commentators are speculating about the implications of the arrest, following, as it does, so quickly upon the sacking of Cardinal Mueller, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Relations between Cardinal Sarah and Pope Francis have recently been described as ‘cool’, though no specific accusations have so far been made.

The Dean of the College, Cardinal Angelo Spadaro, was not available for comment.