VATICAN CITY (AP) – A married couple, Silvia Carlucci and Domenico Fabiani, who were dismissed from their positions at the Vatican Bank for breaching an internal policy prohibiting workplace marriages, have been reinstated following a negotiated settlement, as announced by the union representing Vatican lay employees on Wednesday.

The couple filed a wrongful termination lawsuit in January 2025, approximately four months after their wedding on August 31, 2024. The union described the settlement as "a victory of common sense," despite not disclosing details about the timing of their return to work or the nature of their roles within the bank. The couple, who together have three children, indicated that they had no intentions of postponing their wedding, even after becoming aware of the bank's new regulation prohibiting employees from marrying one another.

Initially, the Vatican Bank suggested that one of them should resign, but Carlucci and Fabiani stated they were unable to do so due to various financial obligations related to their children, former spouses, and a new mortgage. The union highlighted that while the outcome of this case was positive, it was not entirely satisfactory, as Vatican procedures do not allow for the reimbursement of legal fees for the victorious party in labor disputes.

The union emphasized the need for more robust foundations in the application of labor law, referencing the absence of social support for the couple during their legal battle for reinstatement. Additionally, they pointed out that the regulation leading to the couple's dismissal would likely be deemed unconstitutional if evaluated under Italian law.

Though Carlucci and Fabiani have not publicly commented on the settlement, they had expressed hopes during their initial lawsuit filings for intervention from the late Pope Francis, who was the pontiff at the time and had been known for his emphasis on family values.

This case sheds light on the complexities of employment regulations within the Vatican, particularly when they intersect with personal lives and familial commitments. The reinstatement of Carlucci and Fabiani may signal a potential reevaluation of workplace policies in similar contexts within the institution.