ROME — In a move that has left theologians, tourists, and at least three nuns in a trance-like state of voguing, the Vatican has officially announced a groundbreaking partnership with Europa Multiclub, Italy’s largest gay sauna, to launch a global chain of holy nightclubs dubbed “Club Sanctus: Where the Spirit Gets Lit.”
Though initially raising eyebrows when the Vatican purchased 20 luxury apartments in the same building as Europa Multiclub back in 2008—allegedly to house members of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples—it’s now clear that the Church had far more rhythm than reason.
“We told everyone those apartments were for missionaries,” admitted Monsignor Vito D’Angelo, while casually sipping a glitter-rimmed martini under a disco ball shaped like the Virgin Mary. “But deep down, we knew the real mission was bringing the Holy Spirit to the dance floor.”
The inaugural Sanctus nightclub will be located just 37 communion wafers away from the Vatican itself, in what used to be a retired cardinal’s wine cellar. Featuring DJs in cassocks, neon crucifixes, and confessionals repurposed as private dance pods, the venue promises “eternal salvation with a splash of Absolut.”
“Repentance is nice,” said Father Giorgio Bellissimo, wearing a sequined robe with ‘YASU KRISTO’ in rhinestones across the back, “but sometimes the Lord works through bass drops and body glitter.”
Cardinal Luigi Tremonti, who initially opposed the project until accidentally attending a soft-opening preview called Resurrection Rave, has since had a change of heart. “I felt the presence of God… and also a shirtless man named Fabrizio,” Tremonti confessed. “It was… transformative.”
Sassy new club-goers are already flocking to the fold. “I came for the Holy Eucharist, but I stayed for the Holy Euphoria,” said Mateo “BlessedBe” Andretti, a drag performer who leads the nightly sermon-slash-vogue-off in the chapel-turned-dance hall. “This place SLAYS sin, hunty.”
Deacon Marco Felini, co-manager of the Vatican’s new nightlife division, explained the logic: “Look, if brunch brought people back to church, just imagine what bottomless forgiveness and top-tier DJs will do.”
Despite some internal resistance, Pope Francis reportedly gave the endeavor his blessing, saying, “If love is love, then house music is the Lord’s heartbeat.”
Future locations are rumored for Rio de Janeiro, San Francisco, and—pending a zoning miracle—Salt Lake City.
As for the Vatican’s traditionalists? “We’ll get them on the dance floor eventually,” said Father Giorgio. “We’ve got Gregorian remixes, exorcist go-go dancers, and a VIP lounge called The Last Supper Club.”
Because if you can’t serve the Lord in stilettos and a smoke machine, where can you?