Yep, they were one of the pillars of operation gladio. The vatican bank was one of the principle money launderers for the CIA's drug-running and terrorism operations. One of their assets, Marsinkus, even killed a pope in the 70s over threatening to expose it.

[–] ShinkanTrain@lemmy.ml 7 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

I got a loan at the Vatican Bank and to my surprise they do not forgive debts. In fact, they're fairly inquisitive about them.

[–] ashenone@lemmy.ml 15 points 3 weeks ago

Sophia: I hate Communism.

Dorothy: Of course you hate Communism, Ma. It's because you were raised a Fascist.

[–] dylanmorgan@slrpnk.net 7 points 3 weeks ago

I just finished rewatching The Americans and it occurred to me that once again, every accusation is a confession: the US set up leave-behind networks in Europe to guard against a communist takeover, so of course the intelligence community became obsessed with the idea of Soviet infiltrators living as American citizens.