Carter Roy

The pontiff even stayed with Luciani and the two led mass together. In press photos of the historic event, Pope Paul VI is seen gesturing to the crowd with his arms outstretched. It's unclear what the pope and patriarch discussed in private during that visit, or if Calvi's banking scheme ever came up at all. Either way, Luciani seemed to move on and soon moved up in the Catholic Church.

The pontiff even stayed with Luciani and the two led mass together. In press photos of the historic event, Pope Paul VI is seen gesturing to the crowd with his arms outstretched. It's unclear what the pope and patriarch discussed in private during that visit, or if Calvi's banking scheme ever came up at all. Either way, Luciani seemed to move on and soon moved up in the Catholic Church.

Six months later, in March 1973, the Pope offered 60-year-old Luciani the role of cardinal. In Catholicism, the Pope chooses cardinals to assist him, but they're also responsible for electing new pontiffs. With his newly minted title, Luciani supposedly entertained another familiar guest in Venice that May – the Secretariat of State Assistant, Bishop Giovanni Benelli.

Six months later, in March 1973, the Pope offered 60-year-old Luciani the role of cardinal. In Catholicism, the Pope chooses cardinals to assist him, but they're also responsible for electing new pontiffs. With his newly minted title, Luciani supposedly entertained another familiar guest in Venice that May – the Secretariat of State Assistant, Bishop Giovanni Benelli.

Six months later, in March 1973, the Pope offered 60-year-old Luciani the role of cardinal. In Catholicism, the Pope chooses cardinals to assist him, but they're also responsible for electing new pontiffs. With his newly minted title, Luciani supposedly entertained another familiar guest in Venice that May – the Secretariat of State Assistant, Bishop Giovanni Benelli.

This time, Luciani didn't pry any further into the Vatican's affairs, but according to Yallop, Benelli was about to spill more secrets. Cardinal Albino Luciani, who would later become Pope John Paul I, reportedly sat down with Bishop Giovanni Benelli again in 1973.

This time, Luciani didn't pry any further into the Vatican's affairs, but according to Yallop, Benelli was about to spill more secrets. Cardinal Albino Luciani, who would later become Pope John Paul I, reportedly sat down with Bishop Giovanni Benelli again in 1973.

This time, Luciani didn't pry any further into the Vatican's affairs, but according to Yallop, Benelli was about to spill more secrets. Cardinal Albino Luciani, who would later become Pope John Paul I, reportedly sat down with Bishop Giovanni Benelli again in 1973.

According to author David Yallop, on this occasion, Benelli talked about another financial scandal that may have involved Bishop Paul Marcinkus, head of the Vatican Bank. The story went something like this. Back in the United States, FBI officials specializing in organized crime and racketeering had paid a visit to Marcinkus' office.

According to author David Yallop, on this occasion, Benelli talked about another financial scandal that may have involved Bishop Paul Marcinkus, head of the Vatican Bank. The story went something like this. Back in the United States, FBI officials specializing in organized crime and racketeering had paid a visit to Marcinkus' office.

According to author David Yallop, on this occasion, Benelli talked about another financial scandal that may have involved Bishop Paul Marcinkus, head of the Vatican Bank. The story went something like this. Back in the United States, FBI officials specializing in organized crime and racketeering had paid a visit to Marcinkus' office.

They were investigating $14.5 million worth of counterfeit bonds that had been produced by the New York Mafia and delivered to Rome. They were afraid their final destination might be the Vatican. and they believed Marcinkus allegedly had something to do with it. Both Marcinkus and the Vatican Bank operated under tight secrecy, so it was hard to infiltrate and gather documents.

They were investigating $14.5 million worth of counterfeit bonds that had been produced by the New York Mafia and delivered to Rome. They were afraid their final destination might be the Vatican. and they believed Marcinkus allegedly had something to do with it. Both Marcinkus and the Vatican Bank operated under tight secrecy, so it was hard to infiltrate and gather documents.

They were investigating $14.5 million worth of counterfeit bonds that had been produced by the New York Mafia and delivered to Rome. They were afraid their final destination might be the Vatican. and they believed Marcinkus allegedly had something to do with it. Both Marcinkus and the Vatican Bank operated under tight secrecy, so it was hard to infiltrate and gather documents.

Eventually, the US Justice Department determined there wasn't enough evidence to charge him or anyone else with the crime. They had to put the case to bed. But everything changed five years later, in the summer of 1978. On August 6th, Pope Paul VI died of complications from a heart attack. A few weeks later, on August 26th, the voting body of Catholic cardinals assembled to choose the next pope.

Eventually, the US Justice Department determined there wasn't enough evidence to charge him or anyone else with the crime. They had to put the case to bed. But everything changed five years later, in the summer of 1978. On August 6th, Pope Paul VI died of complications from a heart attack. A few weeks later, on August 26th, the voting body of Catholic cardinals assembled to choose the next pope.

Eventually, the US Justice Department determined there wasn't enough evidence to charge him or anyone else with the crime. They had to put the case to bed. But everything changed five years later, in the summer of 1978. On August 6th, Pope Paul VI died of complications from a heart attack. A few weeks later, on August 26th, the voting body of Catholic cardinals assembled to choose the next pope.

This gathering is referred to as the papal conclave, and the process is veiled in secrecy. But we do know a few things. According to the Wall Street Journal, cardinals couldn't campaign to become pope. Instead, other cardinals in the conclave discussed and voted until a two-thirds majority was reached.

This gathering is referred to as the papal conclave, and the process is veiled in secrecy. But we do know a few things. According to the Wall Street Journal, cardinals couldn't campaign to become pope. Instead, other cardinals in the conclave discussed and voted until a two-thirds majority was reached.

This gathering is referred to as the papal conclave, and the process is veiled in secrecy. But we do know a few things. According to the Wall Street Journal, cardinals couldn't campaign to become pope. Instead, other cardinals in the conclave discussed and voted until a two-thirds majority was reached.