Since the death of Pope John Paul II in 2005, the internet has produced hundreds of fabricated Vatican “exclusives.” They follow a formula:
| Component | Possible Origin | |-----------|----------------| | | Refers to homosexual conduct, a recurring theme in Vatican conspiracy lore (e.g., the 2018 book “In the Closet of the Vatican” by Frédéric Martel). | | bela | Likely a fictional character or a misspelling. “Bela” could be Bela Lugosi, famous for playing Dracula; or “Bella” from Twilight; or a corruption of “Benedict” (Pope Benedict XVI); or a random invented name. No real Vatican figure named “Bela” exists in Swiss Guard annals. | | mis | Abbreviation for “misconduct” or “mistress.” If “mistress,” that would imply a heterosexual affair, conflicting with “gay.” | | scandal in the Vatican 2 | Creates a false sense of a sequel. Suggests the author previously published a “Vatican scandal 1” (fictional). | | the swiss guard | The unit is added for shock value—accusing the Pope’s elite protectors of corruption. | | part exclusive | Implies this is a leaked series, drawing readers to seek “Part 1” or “Part 3,” a classic clickbait tactic. | gaybelamiscandalinthevatican2theswissguardpart exclusive