Fake Apostolic Blessing parchments seized in Rome

The Associated Press reports that police seized 3,500 fake Vatican parchments Monday that were being sold to pilgrims taking part in Pope Francis’ Holy Year celebrations.

The parchments were seized by Rome’s financial police at a souvenir shop near St. Peter’s Basilica and were valued at about 70,000 euros, or $76,000, according to the AP. Police patrols have been heightened in the area to protect people taking part in the yearlong Jubilee celebrations, the AP reports.

The parchments were knock-offs of the calligraphy-filled, personalized Apostolic Blessing parchments that are sold inside the Vatican by Francis’ chief alms-giver to fund the pope’s charitable efforts, according to the AP. The parchments commemorate births, marriages and, in this case, Holy Year pilgrimages. The AP reports that legitimate parchments sell for $8 to $40 inside the Vatican.