Is twenty years enough time to understand the deep dynamics of complex organizations such as the Catholic Church? This book is a research between chronicle and history based on a considerable amount of documents, open sources and access to direct witnesses. It is an investigation of the Vatican transition and the powers that tried to prevent it, bringing together the two pontificates of Benedict and Francis. No-holds-barred struggles, intrigues, catamounts, and the weight of money, including dirty money, have almost blocked the engine room of Peter’s Boat. Over the past two decades, the Vatican’s global influence has often been on a collision course with the interests of other states (from the U.S. to China, from Russia to the European Union and Italy). A clash that has also passed through real episodes of espionage against the Holy See and attempts to influence the government of the Church. What has happened in the Vatican in recent years, especially the financial scandals, is not the result of chance but of a maneuver put in place to influence and direct the activity of the Catholic Church, also in the perspective of the election of the next Pope.