Tony Bushby - The Papal Billions

Just what is the Roman Catholic Church? Externally, it appears to be preoccupied with the riches of heaven, but internally it is the most formidable accumulator of riches in the World, indeed, the wealthiest institution on Earth. Hidden behind high-sounding papal pontificating in St. Peter's Square lies a beating economic heart that is stunning in its enormity. The startling contradiction of Vatican wealth with the preaching of the Gospel Jesus Christ is too glaring to be ignored, and its existence initiated this investigation into the extent of the Church's fortune.

What does the Holy Mother Church own... what are her tangible and intangible assets... what is the extent of her real estate holdings... how much is invested in stocks, trusts and bonds... is it true that she has vast deposits of gold in Swiss, American and other banks... what are the rumours about off-shore bank accounts? These are difficult questions to answer because the Vatican employs suppressive measures to conceal the value and extent of its empire. However, it is possible to gather together snippets of information and present a digested view of the affluence of the Catholic Church today.

Stretching from St. Peter to the 21st Century, The Papal Billions is a unique disclosure of the most formidable financial empire the world has ever seen. How did it all begin... the answer to that question is recorded in ancient Church records, and reveals that Christianity was founded purely on financial principles.

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