Russia is paying the Vatican the compliment of conspiracy theories - The Pillar

Theory Briefing

• Russia's foreign minister publicly praised the Vatican's diplomatic efforts while state propaganda simultaneously pushed anti-Vatican conspiracy theories.
• The contradiction suggests the Kremlin uses conspiracy narratives as a pressure tool even toward actors it officially courts.
• Targeting the Holy See with disinformation may signal that Russia views Vatican diplomatic influence as a genuine threat worth undermining.
• The pattern mirrors classic double-track statecraft: official flattery paired with covert delegitimisation of the same partner.