Mysterious Death of Roberto Calvi, Known as the 'Banker to the Vatican' - Mysterious Death of "Banker God" Roberto Calvi: Unraveling the Shadows of His Suspect Business Dealings
Written by Lutz Meierapproximate reading time: 2 minutes
For over half a century, the Catholic Banco Ambrosiano, named after a Milanese bishop, stood as a pious counterbalance to other rival banks in the city, known for their worldly aggression. That was, until Roberto Calvi climbed the ranks. Branching out to Luxembourg, Panama, the Bahamas, and tightening ties with the Vatican Bank IOR, Banco Ambrosiano became the Vatican's primary shareholder.
MafiaVaticanBanking Scandal
The Vatican's Banking Empire
Banco Ambrosiano, heavily invested in by the Vatican Bank, was overseen by Roberto Calvi, the man coined as "God's Banker" due to his Vatican connections. The Vatican Bank, originated by Pope Pius XII in 1942, managed the Holy See's finances but was mired in scandals, including money laundering and the collapse of Banco Ambrosiano.
Financial Scandal and Banco Ambrosiano's Downfall
In the 1980s, Banco Ambrosiano plunged into a massive financial scandal, with allegations of money laundering for the Mafia and funding for the Polish Solidarity and the Contras in Nicaragua. The bank's collapse left the Vatican Bank facing accusations of moral complicity due to its majority stake.
Mafia Ties and Calvi's Mysterious Death
Roberto Calvi met a gruesome end in London in 1982, his death initially ruled a suicide, later reclassified as murder. Several high-profile individuals, including Mafia members and associates, were implicated in his death.
The Vatican's Response and Settlement
The Vatican eventually conceded moral responsibility in the scandal and agreed to partial restitution. Despite efforts to distance itself, the Vatican Bank's reputation was left in tatters due to a lack of transparency and oversight.
In a Nutshell
The relationship between the Vatican and Banco Ambrosiano reveals a tangled web of financial corruption, Mafia involvement, and the questionable intersection of organized crime and legitimate institutions. The scandal precipitated significant reforms within the Vatican Bank, leaving a lasting impact on perceptions of the Vatican's financial practices.
- The Vatican Bank, which managed the Holy See's finances, was embroiled in a scandal, as a significant portion of it was heavily invested in Banco Ambrosiano, a bank overseen by Roberto Calvi, often referred to as "God's Banker."
- The downfall of Banco Ambrosian saw it entangled in finance-related scandals, such as money laundering for the Mafia, business dealings with the Vatican Bank, and funding for the Polish Solidarity and the Contras in Nicaragua, ultimately leading to its ruin and raising questions about the Vatican's complicity in the matter.
