ROME — The head of Rome's Vatican-run children's hospital says an Italian cardinal, whose apartment was reportedly renovated using hospital foundation funds, has made a big donation in a bid to make amends.

Bambino Gesu President Mariella Enoc told reporters Saturday that Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, once the Vatican's No. 2 official, has donated 150,000 euros ($165, 000) for research on orphan diseases.

Bertone has insisted that he paid for the renovations himself. The scandal has put him on the defensive, since lavish lifestyles clash with Pope Francis' insistence that prelates live modestly.

Enoc said hospital funds didn't "directly" end up in Bertone's pockets. But she added that Bertone "recognized that all that happened damaged our hospital and foundation, and thus is making amends" with his donation.