With the recent passing of the pope, i was curious and looked up pope john paul, who only lived 33 days, died in 1978 i think. And it was rumored he was murdered. In GF3 the new pope died shortly, and it seemed to have a big resembelence. I wanted to know if that is what happened, it if it was twisted for the movie.
thanks

Pope Johm Paul died in his sleep of heart failure. I remember reading somewhere that he had been so busy he neglected taking his medication. I don't think there is any evidence that he was murdered. I guess FFC thought it would make an interesting twist in the movie.
Some of the experts here probably know more about it.

There were, at the time, some "inconsistencies" with some of the records and practices of the Vatican Bank, and, if i recall, some "missing money" or misappropriation of funds.

And Pope John Paul I had promised to to investigate.

And there were "rumors" about his death.

Much of GF III is based on the financial troubles the Church was having. A Cardinal named Marchinkus (thats a misspelling) was in charge of the Vatican Bank, which in turn was doing business with honest to God crooks, and which was in fact heavily in debt. When the scandal first broke one of the bad guys hanged himself from a bridge in London, where he was found with a wad of cash in his pockets and floating on the water ---very much like the scene in GF III. It has long been rumored that John Paul I was poisoned by some insider who feared he was going to really clean house. At some point around 1990, the he Vatican commissioned a book which was published under the title "A Thief In The Night." The book concludes that he was not poisoned, but that all the inconsistencies in the explanations of his cause of death immediately thereafter were the result of that his body was discovered by a nun, and they didn't want to infer a woman was in his bedroom, etc etc. The books goes into great detail refuting the theory that John Paul I was assassinated, and it is a valuable historical document, however you still have to consider the source of the book, and the identity of who commissioned it.

Archibishop Paul Marcinkus was born in Cicero, Illinois in 1922 and ordained in Chicago. A google search turned up this article from a Phoenix, Arizona newspaper regarding his whereabouts today.

I don't think there is any single source considered the definitive answer on the complete activities during the 33 day papacy and the circumstances surrounding the death of Pope John Paul I. Again, a google search will lead you to a number of interesting sites with some compelling evidence to raise suspicion about the finding of death from natural causes.

tony b.

This link doesnt work

Again, the book God's Banker explains alot. By the way, for you Catholics out there, keep in mind that Catholic lore predicts that the next pope to take the name Peter signals the end of the world.

God...will these topics ever stop showing up? Now I know why everyone hates newbies...

That's a very asinine comment, Moscarelli, considering you're a "newb" yourself. The poster who started this topic, in search of an answer to a question he/she had. Maybe they aren't aware that this question has come up numerous times, and so they asked. That is what this message board is for, you know? Chill out.

I know, I know, sorry, I was in a bad mood. Sorry CRH.

This is now the fourth topic that has been started on this same subject. Over in the Organized Crime Real Life thread, there already is a discussion going on. So I am closing this topic. If you want to continue this discussion then please do so over in the Organized Crime Real Life thread.


Don Cardi