The Vatican invested millions of dollars on Men in Black: International and Elton John’s steamy biopic Rocketman.
The Vatican spent more than $4.5 million to finance the production of the 2019 films, according to documents seen by Corriere Della Sera newspaper in Italy. Rocketman has been censured in some countries for its gay sex scenes.
It’s unclear why the Vatican spent millions on the films.
“Investigations are in progress, and lines of enquiry which may help clarify the position of the Holy See with respect to the aforementioned funds and any others, are currently being examined by the Vatican judiciary, in collaboration with the competent authorities,” the Vatican press office said in a statement.
The money for the investments was from a fund of donations made to the Holy See for the poor. The offerings are supposed to be for “humanitarian initiatives and social promotion projects, as well as to the support of the Holy See,” according to the Vatican.
The disclosure follows Pope Francis warning cardinals of the “grave impact” the Holy See’s growing budget deficit will have on its economic future.
