The origin of the spear is mentioned in the Gospel of John. When Jesus was crucified, Roman soldiers wanted to determine whether he was dead or not, because they needed to take his body down for burial. Today, we will travel to Rome, specifically to the center of the Catholic Church – the Vatican. This is where the Pope lives and is also the headquarters of the entire Church organization. With such a long history, this place is sure to have many secrets hidden – sometimes literally. One of the most closely guarded mysteries is the Ark of the Covenant. Explore the Vatican’s dark tunnels and secret rooms to find out the 20 darkest secrets they are hiding!
1. The Vatican’s Role in the Crusades
The Crusades took place from the 11th to the 13th centuries with the aim of reclaiming and protecting Christian holy sites in the Mediterranean region, especially Jerusalem, which was then under Muslim control. The first Crusade began in 1095 and successfully captured Jerusalem in 1099, establishing a number of Crusader states, including the Kingdom of Jerusalem. These wars were conducted under the auspices of the Pope, who was the head of the Christian world at the time. The war not only resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people but also forced conversions. The Pope even granted lifetime indulgences to those who participated in these expeditions. This shows that religion can be used to justify the most brutal acts of humanity.
2. The Vatican’s Necropolis
The term “necropolis” means “city of the dead,” and such places can be found all over the world, often beneath modern cities. So it’s no surprise that the Vatican has an underground necropolis. The area lies directly beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, a site of immense historical significance and the final resting place of many popes. The necropolis dates back to ancient Rome but was only discovered during excavations in the 1940s. Inside are many ancient tombs, stone sarcophagi, and artifacts from ancient times, including relics of the Catholic Church in Rome.
3. The Pope’s Escape Tunnel
Throughout history, popes have faced many dangers, from assassination attempts to military attacks. So in 1277, Pope Nicholas III built a secret tunnel connecting the Vatican to Castel Sant’Angelo – a fortified castle in Rome used as a refuge for the Pope during times of unrest. This tunnel is about 800m long, running through the Borgo district of Rome and has been used many times in history to save the lives of Popes from dangerous enemies.
4. Mysterious exorcisms
According to the Vatican, the number of demonic possessions in the world is increasing. To deal with this situation, the Church has established an “army of exorcists” consisting of people trained to identify and expel demons. However, many people believe that this phenomenon is just a product of imagination or more commercial than real.
5. The Vatican’s Vast Art Collection
The Vatican Museums hold a vast art collection, from early Christian works to modern art. One of the most notable is Pericle Fazzini’s “Resurrection,” completed in 1977. The work depicts Jesus rising from a nuclear explosion in the Garden of Gethsemane – a haunting symbol of the destruction of nuclear war.
6. The Vatican’s Financial Scandals
The Vatican Bank, also known as the Institute for Religious Affairs, has been implicated in a series of financial scandals, including money laundering and collaboration with the Nazis. During Hitler’s time in power, the Vatican received church taxes from the Nazi government, raising questions about its shady financial dealings.
7. The Vatican’s Secret Archives
The Vatican holds a vast archive, estimated to contain 53 kilometers of bookshelves containing important Church documents. Only a handful of scholars are granted access to a small portion of the archive, making it one of the most secretive places in the world.
8. The Knights Templar and the Lost Treasure
The Knights Templar were a military organization sponsored by the Catholic Church that specialized in secret missions. Over the centuries, they have been associated with legends of lost treasure and unsolved mysteries. However, most of these stories are likely just legends, and if there is a real treasure, the Vatican has probably controlled it for a long time.
9. The Shroud of Turin
This shroud is believed to have wrapped the body of Jesus after his crucifixion. The image on the cloth appears to depict a face, leading many to believe that it is definitive proof of the existence of Jesus. However, modern scientific research has shown that the cloth may not be as ancient as many believe.
