The Society of Jesus, founded in 1540 by Ignatius of Loyola -- a former Spanish soldier -- is sometimes depicted as an "army of shadows".
Conspiracy theorists say the order controls everything from the Vatican's governing body, to the United Nations and the US banking system.
Rumours of the head of the Society of Jesus's influence in the Holy See have led to the person who occupies the post being nicknamed "black pope".
While some claim the moniker refers to the order's sombre garb, others claim its leader actually pulls the pope's strings.
The society's most famous motto -- Perinde ac cadaver (Obey as a dead body obeys) -- has also fuelled speculation
Conspiracy theorists say the order controls everything from the Vatican's governing body, to the United Nations and the US banking system.
Rumours of the head of the Society of Jesus's influence in the Holy See have led to the person who occupies the post being nicknamed "black pope".
While some claim the moniker refers to the order's sombre garb, others claim its leader actually pulls the pope's strings.
The society's most famous motto -- Perinde ac cadaver (Obey as a dead body obeys) -- has also fuelled speculation
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