I really enjoyed reading the book. I realized that the Roman Catholic Church was, and still is, very powerful. The Church had the capability of waging wars (Holy Wars), excommunicate kings, crown rulers, cannonize anyone to be a saint, and be able to tell who can and cannot enter heaven. Imagine the story of "The Family" as a Mafia Church

Death be not proud, though some have called thee Might and dreadful, for thou art not so... One short sleep past, we wake eternally, and death shall be no more: Death, thou shalt die.