ROME, JAN 19 (ZENIT).- Bishop Francesco Loris Capovilla, former personal secretary of John XXIII, denied the statements of French Mariologist René Laurentin, according to whom "the third secret of Fatima could have been revealed in 1960 during the period of preparation of Vatican Council II."

    Fr. Laurentin's statements were published in a book written by Italian journalist Giuseppe De Carli, entitled "Breviary of the New Millennium" (San Paolo).

    "Laurentin is referring to rumors that were circulating at that time, but there is no indication that allows one to think that the Pope hoped to reveal the secret in 1960," Bishop Capovilla said.

    According to a Roman newspaper, John Paul II is considering revealing this secret when he travels to Fatima later this year to beatify the two shepherds who were favored with apparitions of Mary in that Portuguese town. This rumor has yet to be confirmed. ZE00011910