Ya know, the vatican has one of the oldest, and most widespread intell gathering agencies in the history of the world. You could call it an all seeing eye even. Benefits? Don't have to use your own countries intel sources and leave all those nasty fingerprints laying around.
Look at the history of Europe in general over the centuries. Several ruling families. The papacy generally lay in the hands of only Italians, until relatively recently. Still the same game though. Knowledge is power in more ways than one.
One ring to rule them all,
one ring to find them,
One ring to bring them all
and in the darkness bind them.
Papacy.
Looks kinda like a Naval cap and ball in his right hand.
Nice. Those black powder pistols have quite a kick.
Maxwell.