Vatican Exposed: Money, Murder, and the Mafia

by Paul L. Williams

Over 50 billion dollars in securities. Gold reserves that exceed those of industrialized nations. Real estate holdings that equal the total area of many countries. Opulent palaces containing the world's greatest art treasures. These are some of the riches of the Roman Catholic Church. Yet in 1929 the Vatican was destitute. Pope Pius XI, living in a damaged, leaky, pigeon-infested Lateran Palace, could hear rats scurrying through the walls, and he worried about how he would pay for even basic repairs to unclog the overburdened sewer lines and update the antiquated heating system. How did the Church manage in less than seventy-five years such an incredible reversal of fortune? The story here told by Church historian Paul Williams is intriguing, shocking, and outrageous.

The turnaround began on February 11, 1929, with the signing of the Lateran Treaty between the Vatican and fascist leader Benito Mussolini. Through this deal Mussolini gained the support of the staunchly Catholic Italian populace, who at the time followed the lead of the Church. In return, the Church received, among other benefits, a payment of $90 million, sovereign status for the Vatican, tax-free property rights, and guaranteed salaries for all priests throughout the country from the Italian government. With the stroke of a pen the pope had solved the Vatican's budgetary woes practically overnight, yet he also put a great religious institution in league with some of the darkest forces of the 20th century.

Based on his years of experience as a consultant for the FBI, Williams produces explosive and never-before published evidence of the Church's morally questionable financial dealings with sinister organizations over seven decades through today. He examines the means by which the Vatican accrued enormous wealth during the Great Depression by investing in Mussolini's government, the connection between Nazi gold and the Vatican Bank, the vast range of Church holdings in the postwar boom period, Paul VI's appointment of Mafia chieftain Michele Sindona as the Vatican banker, a billion-dollar counterfeit stock fraud uncovered by Interpol and the FBI, the "Ambrosiano Affair" called "the greatest financial scandal of the 20th Century" by the New York Times, the mysterious death of John Paul I, profits from an international drug ring operating out of Gdansk, Poland, and revelations about current dealings.

For both Catholics and non-Catholics this troubling exposé of corruption in one of the most revered religious institutions in the world will serve as an urgent call for reform.

Genres: History, Religion, Nonfiction, True Crime, Crime, Historical

264 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2003

Reviews

[Mahshid Naderi · Rating 2 out of 5]

من اين كتابو به صورت الكترونيكى از فيديبو با ترجمه آقاى ايوب باقرزاده خوندم.ترجمه به نظرم خوب نبود ولى خودكتاب هم چنگى به دل نميزد.مثل اينه كه گزارشهاى جاسوسى از يه سازمان كه جاسوسى واتيكان رو ميكرده كش برى و همه رو سر هم بزنى و يه اسم جنجالى هم روش بذارى تا كتاب فروش بره.مثلا براى نشون دادن پول شويى توى واتيكان يه مشت عدد و رقم و اسم پشت سر هم رديف كرده كه به شخصه اين صفحه ها رو اصلا نخوندم.
كلا اين كتابو توصيه نميكنم خلاصش اينه كه در طول تاريخ بخصوص بعد از قراردادى كه بين پاپ و موسيلينى بسته ميشه كليسا وارد جريانات اقتصادى،پول شويى، آدم كشى،همكارى با مافيا و ... ميشه خب اين يه مسئله طبيعيه.هر شخص يا سازمانى كه مصونيت قضايى و قدرت مطلق داشته باشه و براى كارهاش هم نخواد به كسى جواب پس بده كم كم فاسد ميشه اين مسئله عجيب نيست.
از طرف ديگه من مقدمه يا موخره اى يا حداقل يه پى نوشت توى كتاب نديدم كه نشون بده مراجع حرفاى نويسنده كجاست.توى كتاب اسم كلى آدم كله گنده مافيا و حتى شماره حسابشون اومده ولى اصلا گفته نشده اين اطلاعات از كجا اومده. و از همه اينا گذشته اين نويسنده از كجا حمايت ميشه كه حاضر شده با نوشتن اين كتاب با خانواده هاى مافيايى كه اساميشونو توى كتاب آورده طرف شه.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always believed that the Vatican was corrupt, but I was shocked to learn just HOW corrupt. Whether money laundering, bank fraud, ties to the mafia (including mob hits) or helping Nazi war criminals escape, its shocking just how awful these people are. The sad thing is, the law enforcement agencies know about all these things but haven't been able to prosecute because the vatican is a sovereign state and is accountable to no one.

Valuable information. I only gave it three stars because it was hard to get through, at times dry.

[Margaret Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the present Pope Francis very ill and the movie Conclave nominated for best picture at the 2025 Oscars this book should be back on the best seller list. It is a page turner for anyone who engages their intelligence and reads the book as a document of importance and not a 'thriller' like the Da Vinci Code.Having met with Leoluca Orlando ( Mayor or Palermo) in 1990 and having heard from him first hand what the Mafia controls, not only in Italy, but Worldwide it is shocking to discover that the Vatican and the 'Holy' See is complicit and wholly involved with Corporate Crime on a level that beggars belief. Arch Bishop Marcinkus ( Il Gorilla) is shown to be a Thug and cheat of the highest order and yet a close friend of Pope John Paul 11, the Pole who said "On my bended knees I beg of you, turn from the path of violence" ( 1979). When JP11 died the 'sheep' from his Vatican flock demanded
" Santo Subito" for a total hypocrite. Having had the Cathechism beaten into me in school by members of 'religious' orders it is time the Truth about the Vatican and corruption was beaten into
the Curia. Before they elect the NEXT Pope. They could start by reading The vatican Exposed

[Nathan Frankel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Given the sensationalist title and tacky cover art, I was pleasantly surprised by the content. This book details the unconscionable actions of the Vatican during the 20th century, and some of the chapters are so damning I checked some other sources to corroborate the claims. A bit dry at times, but I consider this book a good primer for those questioning the image put forth by the organization. I was familiar with some of the basics involving the church during and after WW2 (the infamous 'ratlines' where the church helped war criminals escape prosecution and settle in other parts of the world, and the absolutely horrendous crimes against humanity enabled and assisted in areas like Croatia), but the details are truly shocking. The later portion details financial crimes and links to organized crime. One of the most powerful organizations on the planet, it's nothing short of an outrage at what they get away with.

[Amanda Silvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just wow. This book was hard to read, both because of the heavy and detailed content and also because as a Catholic it is not pleasant to hear about all the awful things that the Catholic church has had its hands in. There were many places in the book that I just skimmed over because there was too much to process, but I have to give the author credit for his extensive research. I really want nothing to do with the Catholic church after hearing how they were in bed with the Nazis, Italian mafia, and more, nevermind the mysterious death of one of their own popes, their involvement with stock fraud and a drug ring, and the fact that no one outside the church knows exactly how much the church is worth. All Catholics should read this book. I am curious about what else the author discovered after this book was published.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Truth About the Vatican You Never Got From Parochial School

Recommended read for those interested in a well organized and referenced account of the facts regarding of how the Vatican has risen to one of the wealthiest organizations of the planet.

Fairly easy read that moves at a nice pace. Brings together facts disclosed from multiple sources in a more compact format.

The appendices of the Lateran Treaty of Pious 12th and Mussolini and the Papal Concordant with Hitler and the Reich are also useful in confirming some of the details covered in the book.

Eye opening for those not aware of the inner workings of the Vatican and Catholic authorities and their connection to the Mafia and other nefarious historical characters.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who is a Catholic should read this book. My jaw dropped several times upon reading certain chapters. My eyes are now wide open to the corruption within the Vatican. I am ashamed to be called a Catholic myself. You have to read it yourself to fully understand my disappointment in the Pope.
As a young girl, I was taught to be a good catholic and go to church every week. During this time I thought the Pope(s) were good men, leaders who wanted to help the sick and the poor. All this time they were rich with millions upon millions in several world bank accounts. Most of that money was connected with the Italian mafia. How do we recover from this corruption??

[Brian Malek · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re still clinging to the fantasy of a morally pure Vatican, this book will crush it.

The Vatican Exposed reads like a courtroom indictment: money laundering, mafia ties, political blackmail, and corruption so deep it makes your skin crawl. Williams doesn’t speculate—he documents. Names, dates, Swiss bank accounts… it’s all here.

It’s not a spiritual book. It’s not warm. It’s not hopeful.

But it’s real.

And for some of us, that’s the first step toward escaping the lie.

[Gabriel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting and detailed story. At the start it is a bit boring as all the book talks about is the story of the church, however, the book gets more interesting and engaging as it starts talking about crime, mafia and corruption.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sinister things that happened between the Fascists in Italy and the Fascistic Nazis in Germany. Say it can’t happen here what happened in Germany in the 1930s and 1940s. Keep your eyes open and on a book! KAG

[Yvonne Panfili · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shocking Information

Looking for insight in the church. I have always been fascinated with the Vatican and the money it has yet is always looking for donations from us to help others it wasn't parting with their wealth.

[Kevin Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a very interesting book of Vatican involvement in many areas that few people are aware of in the world.

[RRex · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Vatican is up to its ears in blood and stolen treasure.

Now I know why they wear such voluminous outfits. They're trying to hide their filth.

[Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to believe it's not fiction

You simply cannot ignore the starting facts revealed in William's book, see for yourself and please continue that search afterwards.

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

If one tenth of this is true, the Vatican is the single largest criminal organization in the world

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

😱😳🫣🫢

[Yaakov Bernadyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fascinating read of a conspiratorial nature, of course. I thoroughly enjoyed the historical facts being linked in the chain that otherwise would have gone unnoticed. There are some assumptions made here that are backed by rounded facts but not proven. But, these made for a titillating read.

As an aside, I didn't like the font in my copy.

Highly recommend!

[Kim Gates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative . . . for someone who didn't know anything about the crimes and atrocities committed and condoned by the Catholic Church. While this book could have benefited from a better editor, it was quite illuminating. Now that I'm better informed, I truly don't understand why this church still exists. How on earth can people respect this craven and corrupt institution???

[Claire S]

Hard to find out about this, but here's a review:
http://www.prometheusbooks.com/index....

My Mom was given this book to read in relation to a trip she took in the region, has been talking about it and now I'm curious also.

Shocking stuff!

[Spider the Doof Warrior · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man, I hate the Church. The hypocrisy, the violence. I just don't think Jesus would approve of all of that.
And don't even get me on the sex scandals. I knew about that, but I had no idea that Franciscans of all people were killing all these innocent people.
Why?

[Geoffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is absolutely an enraging and eye-opening book. The most enraging was learning about the complicity and the passive knowledge of the Vatican towards the atrocities perpetrated by the Ustase in Croatia. Read it and see what kind of people the Vatican really are.

[Jovi · Rating 5 out of 5]

first it's skepticism then it's incredulity. that's what this book make you feel. I was pretty wary of the things mentioned in the book but a few Google searches converted me to a believer. genocide mafia dealings , manipulation of financial markets and a church is behind it all...

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit too much simply one factoid after another, a far too much of a Vatican Babylon feel to it rather than investigative reporting or historical research. Williams does have an agenda, but he does make his point, which unfortunately probably would have been more effective in a better-written book.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good book. I think very few Catholics are aware of how corrupted the Vatican can be.

[Angela C Vagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it - scary,

[Kathleen Bork · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written little book providing an accurate summary of events in the vatican from 1929 on.
Worth the time to read it

[Matthew Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting look into the plumbing of the Vatican sewers. Definitely read this if it interests you.

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shocking, dynamic. I couldn’t put it down.

It will change everything you ever thought about the Vatican.

[Marlene Gasdia-Cochrane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reads like a textbook or a thesis... but there are a lot of facts and interesting info that makes you think about what goes behind and beyond one of these oldest institutions.