By Paul, 24/7 News Agncy, November 8, 2021

The acquisition of this building, at a price higher than its real value, was carried out through highly speculative financial packages.

The Vatican could lose 100 million pounds, or about 135 million dollars, with the sale of a controversial luxury building in London, bought in part with the St. Peter’s Mite, the money that the faithful around the world donate to the pope to the poor.

According to the newspaper Financial Times, which cites unidentified sources, the Vatican is about to finalize the sale of the building to the private financial asset manager group, Bain Capital, for approximately 200 million pounds (233 million euros, 270 million dollars).

It would be about 100 million pounds less than what you paid to acquire it in 2014.

The dark purchase of the luxurious building in London and the network of companies and funds that left a hole in the finances of the Holy See are the focus of a trial initiated in July by the Vatican criminal court, a scandal that affects the image of the Church.

The acquisition of this building, at a price higher than its real value, was carried out through highly speculative financial packages, through two Italian businessmen residing in London.

The reckless use of some of the money for the poor that churches around the world donate each year for the pope’s charities also contributed to the scandal.

The acquisition of this building, at a price higher than its real value, was carried out through highly speculative financial packages, through two Italian businessmen residing in London. . . The reckless use of some of the money for the poor that churches around the world donate each year for the pope’s charities [Peter’s Pence] also contributed to the scandal.

The case also represents a challenge for Pope Francis, since it reveals the lack of control in Vatican finances, for which he had to initiate an internal reform, and in fact brings to light the dark privileges of various Vatican entities.

In what is considered the largest trial for corruption and embezzlement in the history of the Vatican, Italian Cardinal Angelo Becciu has been indicted along with a group of eight defendants, among businessmen and officials of the Roman Curia.

The defendants face several years in prison for fraud, embezzlement, extortion, money laundering and abuse of power in a scandal that includes complicity with espionage and tax havens.

The trial, with requests for annulment and doubts, is blocked due to the request for annulment of the case, demanded at the beginning of October by the defense, due to the “errors” committed during the investigation process.

This article first appeared HERE.