The Vatican said Tuesday it has selected a Swiss company to handle credit card payments that were suspended by the Bank of Italy for breaching European rules against money-laundering.
The ban, which took effect on January 1, included payments for tickets to the famous Vatican Museums, which draw millions of tourists every year.
"Credit card payments in the Vatican city state are possible once again," spokesman Federico Lombardi told a press briefing.
"The service is offered by the Swiss company Aduno SA, which has a lot of experience on the European market," Lombardi said.
The Italian central bank had ordered Deutsche Bank Italia, which previously handled payments and is registered in Italy, to deactivate its terminals.
The Vatican has begun to overhaul its legislation against money-laundering but is still not on an official "White List" of compliant countries.
The ban also affected the Vatican pharmacy, its post office and some shops located in the area comprising the world's smallest sovereign state.
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