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The Vatican has recalled a priest who was working in a Washington embassy after federal officials say he may have violated child pornography laws.

He’s currently in Vatican City where an investigation is underway, the Vatican said in a statement.

The U.S. State Department notified the Vatican on August 21 of a “possible violation of laws relating to child pornography images” by a diplomat from the Holy See, according to the statement.

State Department officials say they asked the Vatican to lift his diplomatic immunity, but the request was denied, The Washington Post reports. A federal source familiar with the case told The Post that the priest is suspected of possessing, but not producing or releasing the images.

The Vatican did not disclose the priest’s name, stating that the case is “subject to investigative confidentiality.”

“This is a serious issue,” said Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, in a release. “We hope the Holy See will be forthcoming with more details.”

“While we don’t know all the facts, consistent with our Charter, we reaffirm that when such allegations occur, an immediate, thorough, and transparent investigation should begin in cooperation with law enforcement and immediate steps be taken to protect children,” DiNardo said. “The protection of children and young people is our most sacred responsibility.”