VATICAN CITY (AP) — The head of the Vatican bank met yesterday with Italy's economy minister amid an investigation by Rome prosecutors into alleged violations of Italy's anti-money laundering rules at the bank.

The Vatican said the meeting was a regularly scheduled session and dealt with the global financial crisis and development issues. A statement by the Holy See press office didn't say whether the investigation was discussed.

Italian financial police in September seized 23 million euros ($30 million) from a Vatican account and placed two top bank officials under investigation for alleged violations of Italy's anti-money laundering norms.

Prosecutors say the bank tried to transfer money without specifying who the sender or recipient was or what the money was being used for.

Bank chief Ettore Gotti Tedeschi, who is under investigation, and the Vatican No. 2, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, met with Economy Minister Giulio Tremonti as well as members of religious congregations who are key account holders at the Vatican bank. Enrique Iglesias, former president of the Inter-American Development Bank, also participated.

The Vatican statement noted that for the past five years the Vatican bank had organised such periodic meetings, mostly for religious congregations to help them stay on top of financial issues.