Vatican's Secret Spy Service Infiltrated USSR, Shaped Popes

Yvonnick Denoël's new book, 'Vatican Spies,' uncovers the Vatican's covert operations and its history of espionage, which has included training priests in intelligence and secret missions during the Cold War. The narrative includes the mysterious death of Roberto Calvi, a banker linked to the Vatican, and allegations of a clandestine intelligence service operating under the cover of diplomacy. The Vatican's secretive operations have been historically linked to significant political events, including attempts to destabilize communist regimes. The recent film 'Conclave' echoes these themes, depicting the fierce competition and intrigue surrounding the election of a new Pope. Denoël's work details a complex web of espionage involving various intelligence agencies and scandals that have plagued the Church over decades. Despite the revelations, the Vatican maintains a level of secrecy regarding its intelligence activities, complicating the public's understanding of its true influence and operations.