Netflix tip of the day: Vatican Girl

There is another delightful true crime docuseries on Netflix, about a case you may have heard of. It has been a mystery involving the Vatican for many years. I find everything related to faith (and its grim aspects) intensely interesting, so this is right up my alley. Also notable: the girl who went missing in this case is still the only resident of Vatican City who is considered missing.

And that girl is Emanuela Orlandi, who mysteriously disappeared in 1983 at the age of fifteen. She lived with her family in Vatican City, some of whom even worked for the Vatican. In fact, her family is one of the few non-religious families that officially received citizenship in Vatican City.

On June 22, Emanuela went to her music lesson (she played the flute) in the center of Rome. Afterward, she called home to say that she had been scouted to sell Avon beauty products after class. However, she never returned: the last sighting of her was getting into a green BMW.

That is already quite bizarre, but after her disappearance, things only got stranger. Her family received several mysterious phone calls telling them that Emanuela had been kidnapped and would be released if a ransom was paid — and if one Mehmet Ali Agca was released. This was the man who shot Pope John Paul II in 1981.

The unfortunate thing about this documentary is that they — not surprisingly — could not get anyone from the Vatican to agree to an interview. The chance is very present that her disappearance has something to do with the Vatican. I indeed say present, because I warn you in advance: this case has never been solved. So be prepared for a medium unsatisfactory ending, but this case is so fascinating that you won't want to miss this docuseries.