>>1255907
"The envy of every businessman and finance minister in the world, the Special Administration answered to no one. No elected congress or government cabinet kept tabs on it. It was not required to present reports to stockholders' meetings. Because it operated in secrecy (as does the new "ministry of finance"), no news- papers could play watchdog. In Italy and most other countries it paid no taxes. Since it worried very little about the availability of capital, it could undertake long-term programs and risks. With diplomatic privileges, its operations were often made easier, and with diplomatic contacts, which kept the "home office" regularly informed on all matters likely to have a bearing on economic
trends, it had a certain edge over competitors'
https://www.academia.edu/9666508/_The_Vatican_Empire_by_Nini_Lo_Bello