The Vatican has for the first time opened an investigation into the mysterious disappearance 36 years ago of a teenage girl whose presumed death has been variously linked to the mafia, Catholic Church corruption scandals and organised sex rings.

The launch of the investigation into the fate of Emanuela Orlandi, who was a 15-year-old schoolgirl when she vanished from the streets of Rome in 1983, was announced by her family’s lawyer.

The Vatican will now be expected to investigate a tip-off received by the family last year, according to which Ms Orlandi was murdered and her body secretly interred in a tomb in the Teutonic Cemetery, inside the tiny sovereign state.

“Investigations are underway,” said Laura Sgrò, the family’s lawyer, adding that she had received confirmation from the Vatican Secretariat of State.

“The investigation is already in an operative phase. We are following the progress of the investigation and hope for full cooperation.”