VATICAN CITY - Former Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone has agreed to repay 150,000 to the Bambino Gesù children's hospital in partial restitution for charitable funds diverted to restore his luxury apartment in the Vatican, officials at the hospital say.

 "I have always done charity and my life is not as luxurious as people keeps saying. I will make this donation in several installments,“ Bertone claimed.

 For the 'donation' Bertone received a thanks letter from the director of the Vatican-run hospital, Mariella Enoc. Press reports put the total amount diverted to restore the sprawling 290 sq m apartment at as much as 250,000 euros.

 Meanwhile Pope Francis in a conciliatory Christmas speech said that some "diseases of the Curia," the central government of the church, which have arisen this year, brought "sincere reflection and decisive action."

 "Reform will go ahead with determination, clarity and decisiveness," the pope said in his Christmas greetings address to the Curia.