http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/2402

The EU Tax Man Cometh to the Vatican

The Italian government is being asked by the European Commission (EC) to explain tax breaks which the Vatican enjoys on income from property. The EC has received complaints that the concessions amount to illegal state aid, despite the deal stemming from an agreement between Italy and the Catholic church dating back to 1929. [...]

Now, the Vatican has been called before the European Union for questioning. [...] The Vatican has agreed to co-operate fully with the EU, but many analysts say that the Holy See, or central government of the Catholic church, senses an underlying prejudice against the church.

Ed Pentin, Rome correspondent for the Catholic Herald, said the EU has a history of being anti-Catholic and anti-church. (realce meu) [...] Now, it will be up to the EU and the Italian government to decide whether an early twentieth century agreement granting tax breaks to the Vatican can be upheld.