The Church reportedly avoided having to pay millions in taxes on the apartment purchase thanks to generous breaks from the former Berlusconi government. In an article published on Monday, Italian newspaper La Repubblica noted that the Vatican paid an estimated $30 million in 2008 for around 20 apartments in the imposing palazzo at 2 Via Carducci - a building that also happens to house the gay sauna Europa Multiclub.Īccording to La Repubblica, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone-a trusted aide to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who handled the Vatican’s spending during his pontificate- oversaw the purchase of the apartments. As the papal elections finally gets underway in Rome, some members of the Vatican will surely be blushing a deeper red than their robes at the news that the Holy See purchased a block of Rome apartments that is also home to Italy’s biggest gay sauna.
