What Secrets Are Hidden In The Vatican Archives?

Conspiracy theorists insist that top secret archives kept by the Vatican hold the secret to some of the biggest mysteries in human history - and maybe even of the entire universe.

But while some may believe that the ‘Archivum Secretum’ - that literally translates to ‘private archive’ - holds proof of the fantastical, some of what is actually stored there is just as awe-inspiring.

Located next to the Vatican Library, the archives, that were founded in 1612, contain numerous state papers, correspondence and other documents that the Catholic church has accumulated over the centures.

The Pope owns the archives until his death or resignation, when ownership passes to his successor.

Historic: Some documents date back to the eighth century (Rex)

Vast: The documents are contained on 53 miles of shelves (Rex)

No outsider was permitted to enter the archives until 1881, when the doors were opened to researchers, who were able to take a glimpse at documents that date back to as far as the eighth century.

Scholars hoping to take a peek inside must go through a vigorous process, including letters of recommendations, as well as their personal data and purpose of research - although no materials dated after 1939 are available to be studied.

A staggering 53 MILES of shelving is needed to house the staggering weight of documents - but what exactly can be found inside? And what are the more outlandish rumours of the hidden secrets kept from the public?

The Truth

Americas: A Papal Bull split the New World after it was discovered by Christopher Columbus (Rex)

The Papal Bull from Pope Alexander VI splitting the New World

Just one year after Christopher Columbus landed in what is now North America, Pope Alexander VI issued the Inter Caetera, which effectively divided ownership of the Americas. Portugal was given everything east of modern-day Brazil while Spain was given the rest. The date on the Papal Bull - an official letter from the Pope - is dated May 4, 1493.

President: Abraham Lincoln wrote to the Pope during the American Civil War (Rex)

Letters from Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis to Pope Pius XI

In 1863, during the American Civil War, both President Abraham Lincoln and Confederate President Jefferson Davis wrote to the Pope to try and convince him that the South of the country was the innocent party, being the victims of the aggression from the North. Davis also attempted to have the South recognised as an independent country by the Vatican - but narrowly failed.

Denied: A petition to annul King Henry VIII’s first marriage is housed in the Archives (Rex)

Petition to annul King Henry VIII’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon

Wedding fan King Henry VIII was desperate to make Anne Boleyn his second wife in 1530 but the Catholic Church expressly forbid any divorce to take place. As a result, 85 clergymen and Lords wrote a letter to Pope Clement VII to ask him to annul King Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon. The Pope of course refused, and this led to the creation of the Church of England. The petition - that is 3ft-wide - has extra significance as the seals of many signatories were affixed to the petition with red ribbon and is thought to be behind the term ‘red tape’.

Transcripts: The Knights Templar were disbanded by Pope Clement (Rex)

Knights Templar trial transcripts

The infamous Knights Templar - who have been linked to the discovery of the mythical Holy Grail - were once an elite army during the Crusades and enjoyed centuries of immense wealth and privilege. However, following their arrest in 1307, they were charged with heresy, with many eventually burned at the stake. The 60-meter long document that features minutes from their years-long trial sits in the Vatican Secret Archives - and were made public in 2007. They revealed that Pope Clement, who eventually disbanded the Order, had at one point intended to pardon the Knights Templar before he was persuaded otherwise.

Executed: Mary, Queen of Scots wrote to the Pope begging for her life to be spared (Rex)

A letter from Mary, Queen of Scots before her execution

Mary, Queen of Scots languished behind bars for nearly 20 years. Many English Catholics saw her as the legitimate Queen of England but her attempts at claiming the throne failed and Queen Elizabeth I kept her locked up. In 1586, just a few months before she was beheaded for a plot to assassinate the Queen, she wrote to Pope Sixtus V from her prison cell in Fotheringhay Castle, Northamptonshire, Professing her Catholic faith, he pleas to be spared did nothing to save her and she was executed on February 8, 1587.

The Conspiracy Theories

Conspiracy: Is the Vatican keeping the knowledge of alien life a secret? (Flickr)

The Vatican is hiding evidence of aliens

Various alien hunters are convinced that hidden among the 53 miles of documents are proof that aliens exist. The apparent ‘proof’ cited is from Dr Jose, the priest who directs the Vatican observatory.

He told TV show Unsealed: Alien Files that the universe was so big that “it would be possible that life could evolve the way we know it on Earth”. The programme went on to claim that actual alien skulls are houses inside and they even LIVED in the Vatican. So far there is no actual evidence these skulls exist.

Hidden: Mary Magdalene is thought by some to have had Jesus’ baby (Rex)

Evidence of Jesus marrying Mary Magdalene and fathering a child

This one comes straight out of Dan Brown novel ‘The Da Vinci Code’, and despite being nothing more than a plot device, some believe the secrecy of what lies inside the archives is proof enough that Jesus’ bloodline still exists on Earth today.

Back to the future: A time machine may or may not exist inside the archives (Wikipedia)

The Archives are home to a time machine

According to conspiracy theorists, a time machine (named Chronovisor, natch) is situated inside the Secret Archives. It was apparently built by a Benedictine Monk named Father Pellegrino who is said to have created it so he could go back in time and film Christ’s crucifixion. Despite the invention of YouTube, no such video currently exists.

Vital information: Some texts apparently say when the world will end (Flickr)

Texts that say when the world will end

That pesky Apocalypse is presumably some way off yet, but we’d have a much better idea of when to get in our spaceships and head to Mars if we could sneak into the archives. Because that is where all the information you need is stored, as revealed to three children on a hillside in Portugal by the Virgin Mary about 100 years ago. Apparently.

Supernatural: The mythical Grand Grimoire exists - but is it invulnerable? (Flickr)

The Grand Grimoire is housed there

The Catholic Church has officially claimed ownership of the Grand Grimoire - a book of black magic that claims to show how to summon Satan and other demons and force them to do your bidding. Its existence is not up for dispute here. What is slightly more fantastical is that theorists claim the Grand Grimoire is supernatural and cannot be burned, cut, pierced, penetrated, torn, or in any other way damaged or destroyed. The book is said to have been written by Satan and contains his sketches of the faces of Judas Iscariot and Jesus Christ.

Top pic: Rex Features