Urban Seduction: Housewives Club

Vatican City, the smallest country in the world, with an area of only 0.44 square kilometers and less than two thousand people. However, no country or power in the world dares to underestimate it because it is the holy land in the hearts of over a billion Catholics worldwide—the seat of the Roman Curia headed by the Pope!

This "country within a country" located within Italy, lacks fields, agriculture, industry, or mineral resources within its borders. Even essential goods for the citizens' production and life, such as water, electricity, food, fuel, and gas, are all supplied by Italy.

However, it is a sovereign state with a combined political and religious leadership, and has established diplomatic relations with over a hundred countries and regions around the world.

The reason why the Vatican has such influence is not only because of the impact of over a billion believers, but also because of its enormous economic power. The offerings of over a billion believers and accumulation over two thousand years have made the Vatican's control of wealth reach an unimaginable level. It can even be said that the current Vatican is a huge international financial consortium.

With the Vatican's huge investments and extensive real estate holdings in many countries around the world, it has earned itself the nickname "International Financial Empire" among non-believers.

The Apostolic Palace, residence of the Pope.

The head of state of the Vatican, the representative of Christ on earth, the spiritual leader of Catholics worldwide, Pope Constantine sat on the throne with a benevolent smile, listening to the report from his trusted cardinal, Joseph.

"Your Holiness, the Vatican's tourism and stamp revenue totaled two billion euros last year, with interest income from special properties totaling six billion euros, and the religious banking revenue turned over twenty-seven billion euros. The tribute payments from heads of state and dignitaries to the Pope amounted to ninety million euros, and the donations from believers reached twenty-two billion euros..."

"Joseph..."

Pope Constantine suddenly interrupted the cardinal's report, his voice old but low and powerful, "Let's not rush to report last year's profits. Tell me about the assets our Curia currently holds!"

Seemingly caught off guard by His Holiness's sudden question, Cardinal Joseph hesitated for a moment before answering, "Your Holiness, our Curia has investments exceeding eighty billion euros in North America and Western European countries. We hold shares in seventy-two of the world's top five hundred companies. Among them, the most powerful is the Morgan Consortium in Country A. Additionally, our gold and foreign reserves exceed three hundred billion euros..."

"How is our economic strength in Italy?"

"In Italy, we own over four hundred thousand hectares of land, including farms, ranches, properties, and mines. Furthermore, our Vatican capital has infiltrated into Italy's banking credit system, as well as industries such as electrical, chemical, metallurgical, textile, and food..."

Pope Constantine raised an eyebrow, interjected lightly, "Just 'infiltrated,' not 'controlled,' right?"

"Yes, Your Holiness!" Cardinal Joseph lowered his head, seeming quite ashamed, "The situation now is different from two hundred years ago. We dare not be too hasty and have been cautious..."

"Yes! The situation is different now!"

Pope Constantine said with some melancholy, "From the 6th century AD, when the Church gained actual control of the city of Rome and established the Curia, we have continued in Rome for over thirteen hundred years. Our direct territory covers an area of over forty thousand square kilometers. Unfortunately, because of two shameless 'traitors,' we not only lost the true capital of our Papal State, but also our territory was reduced to a pitiful 0.44 square kilometers."

"The hatred for those two shameless 'traitors,' I believe every devout believer will not forget. We will make them regret it!" Cardinal Joseph gritted his teeth, speaking with intense resentment.

"How difficult it is..." Pope Constantine sighed softly, "The knightly world and the magical world have tightly allied with secular powers. With our current strength, we cannot confront them both simultaneously! Moreover, it was also under the 'mediation' of the knightly world and the magical world that the Italian government signed the 'Lateran Treaty' with Pope Pius XI, recognizing our Vatican as a sovereign state. Speaking of which, we owe them a favor..."

"Humph, we will always remember this 'favor'!" The cardinal's gaze was fierce.

Pope Constantine smiled at Joseph, his eyes full of love. "Child, if you can remember, that's best. Don't forget to repay it on the appropriate day..."

The cardinal hesitated, a little nervous. "Your Holiness, we will under your leadership, repay this 'favor'..."

Pope Constantine shook his head calmly. "Child, I may not wait until that day. I have already felt the call of the Heavenly Father. In at most a year, I will go to heaven to serve God..."

"No..."

Cardinal Joseph knelt down, his eyes filled with deep emotions. "Your Holiness, my most revered godfather, the Papal State cannot be without you, the Vatican cannot be without you, and I cannot be without you..."

"Joseph, my disciple, do not be sad, and do not be upset..."

Pope Constantine smiled and said, "You should be happy that I can go and serve God..." Experience tales at empire

"Your Holiness..."

Pope Constantine waved his hand, changing the subject. "Twenty years ago, when I first became Pope, seventy percent of Catholics worldwide were in Europe. Now, sixty percent of believers worldwide are from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. My dear disciple, my most trusted Joseph, do you know what this means?"

Joseph, holding back his grief, nodded. "This means that the election of the new Pope will largely depend on bishops from Asia, Africa, and Latin America..."

"Exactly!"

Pope Constantine nodded, satisfied. "Although the Pope is elected for life, it is not hereditary. It must be elected by the cardinals with a vote of over two-thirds. Therefore, controlling the cardinals from Asia, Africa, and Latin America is equivalent to controlling the position of the Pope!"

Joseph nodded in agreement.

After glancing at his disciple, Pope Constantine smiled and said, "Do you know why I have always refused to establish diplomatic relations with China and instead maintained relations with TW?"

"Because of China's religious policies," Joseph nodded, "The Chinese government has always had major disagreements with the Vatican, insisting that the Church should not interfere in the organization of the Chinese domestic church..."

Pope Constantine chuckled, "Since even you say so, I believe others also think the same..."

Joseph was surprised. "Your Holiness, aren't you keeping your distance from China for this reason?"

Pope Constantine shook his head slightly and whispered, "I am paving the way for you."

Joseph was stunned, then realized, "Your Holiness, are you planning to make me reconcile with China?"

"Yes." Pope Constantine sighed, "China's influence is growing. Not only in the Third World, but also many developing countries are showing goodwill towards them. Once they show support for you, you will gain a lot of help. Moreover, there are nearly ten thousand believers in mainland China, who will also become your solid backing!"

"Will China support me?" Joseph was skeptical.

"Under my influence, many Catholic countries in the world maintain diplomatic relations with TW. This is definitely not a good situation for the Chinese government. As long as you hint to them that once you become the new Pope, you will abandon your relations with TW and instead establish relations with them, I believe they will agree to support you! Furthermore, I have already let the Morgan family enter China to invest, and hinted to the Chinese government that it was at your behest..."

Joseph was once again moved, choking up, "Your Holiness, my revered godfather, thank you for everything you have done for me!"

"This is not enough."

Pope Constantine smiled slightly, "Being friendly with China can only increase your political capital. If you want to firmly hold the position of Pope, you must also achieve 'meritorious deeds'!"

"Merits?"

"Yes."

Pope Constantine's eyes narrowed slightly, "According to reports, there has been a rare internal turmoil among the vampire clans in Europe recently, and many small families in various places have been 'usurped.' Although we have had agreements with the vampire clans, the agreements do not prohibit us from hunting down those 'wanderers' who have lost their homes! Have you gone to eliminate those factors that could potentially destabilize human society?"

"Yes, Your Holiness..."