Niccolo Mainoni

The name of the man he was supposed to interview was Roberto Calvi, better known as God's Banker, the top money man for the Pope. Police argued whether this was a suicide or a murder. And the case only became more twisted as investigators dug deeper. My name is Niccolo Mainoni, and for years I have been obsessed with one of Europe's greatest mysteries. Who killed God's banker?

The name of the man he was supposed to interview was Roberto Calvi, better known as God's Banker, the top money man for the Pope. Police argued whether this was a suicide or a murder. And the case only became more twisted as investigators dug deeper. My name is Niccolo Mainoni, and for years I have been obsessed with one of Europe's greatest mysteries. Who killed God's banker?

An obsession that's brought me into the underbelly of some of the most secretive circles of power.

An obsession that's brought me into the underbelly of some of the most secretive circles of power.

I've talked to spies and mafia bosses. And I've recorded mind-bending stories of conspiracy and espionage.

I've talked to spies and mafia bosses. And I've recorded mind-bending stories of conspiracy and espionage.

All to find out what truly happened to the banker who had the Vatican, the mafia, and a secret far-right branch of Freemasons all pounding on his door. Coming March 17th from Crooked Media and Campside Media, this is Shadow Kingdom, Season 1, God's Banker.

All to find out what truly happened to the banker who had the Vatican, the mafia, and a secret far-right branch of Freemasons all pounding on his door. Coming March 17th from Crooked Media and Campside Media, this is Shadow Kingdom, Season 1, God's Banker.

Find it wherever you get your podcasts or get early access for the full season by joining Crooked's Friends of the Pod at crooked.com slash friends.

Find it wherever you get your podcasts or get early access for the full season by joining Crooked's Friends of the Pod at crooked.com slash friends.

There's a scene that I've been obsessed with for the past several years. It took place on a cool summer night in Austria in 1982. Italian banker Roberto Calvi sat in front of a cold fireplace. For him, it was a rare moment of stillness in what had been a full week on the run. His designer suit was disheveled.

There's a scene that I've been obsessed with for the past several years. It took place on a cool summer night in Austria in 1982. Italian banker Roberto Calvi sat in front of a cold fireplace. For him, it was a rare moment of stillness in what had been a full week on the run. His designer suit was disheveled.

There were sweat stains on his once crisp button-up shirt and dirt on his pants and jacket. He left his home in Rome in such a rush, there wasn't much time to pack. A couple of suitcases, a forged passport, and the precious item that hadn't left his sight since, his leather briefcase. Calvi picked up a book of matches and struck, igniting the small cavern of the brick fireplace.

There were sweat stains on his once crisp button-up shirt and dirt on his pants and jacket. He left his home in Rome in such a rush, there wasn't much time to pack. A couple of suitcases, a forged passport, and the precious item that hadn't left his sight since, his leather briefcase. Calvi picked up a book of matches and struck, igniting the small cavern of the brick fireplace.

One by one, he pulled the documents from the briefcase, dropping them carefully into the fire, page after page. Were these paper trails of illegal wire transfers? Maybe blackmail materials on his rich and powerful clients? I can't be sure. But Calvi didn't burn everything. Some papers he stowed back in the case, Maybe he could use them to cut a deal and save himself.

One by one, he pulled the documents from the briefcase, dropping them carefully into the fire, page after page. Were these paper trails of illegal wire transfers? Maybe blackmail materials on his rich and powerful clients? I can't be sure. But Calvi didn't burn everything. Some papers he stowed back in the case, Maybe he could use them to cut a deal and save himself.

Or perhaps one of those powerful clients might protect him in order to protect their secrets. Among the papers he decided to save was a copy of a letter he'd written just a few weeks earlier. It was written to one of his most important, most secretive clients, Pope John Paul II. Calvi had done so much work for the Vatican, he'd earned the nickname God's Banker.

Or perhaps one of those powerful clients might protect him in order to protect their secrets. Among the papers he decided to save was a copy of a letter he'd written just a few weeks earlier. It was written to one of his most important, most secretive clients, Pope John Paul II. Calvi had done so much work for the Vatican, he'd earned the nickname God's Banker.

But now the Italian financier was in trouble. Santita, Calvi's letter started, I have concluded that you are my last hope. Calvi wrote that he'd secretly moved money for the Vatican around the world and that he'd willingly taken on its, quote, mistakes and faults. But now, he told the Pope, I am betrayed and abandoned by the Vatican.

But now the Italian financier was in trouble. Santita, Calvi's letter started, I have concluded that you are my last hope. Calvi wrote that he'd secretly moved money for the Vatican around the world and that he'd willingly taken on its, quote, mistakes and faults. But now, he told the Pope, I am betrayed and abandoned by the Vatican.