Custodian of the many secrets of Italian history, Gelli was the head of an organization involved in several cases that have gone through the late twentieth century

He died in the night between 15 and 16 December, at his home in Arezzo, Licio Gelli, the "Worshipful Master" of the lodge Propaganda 2, better known as P2.

Always militant right, in 1937 took part in the Spanish Civil War fighting in the Nationalist troops of General Francisco Franco. Back in Italy, in 1939, he joined the National Fascist Party and, after September 8, 1943, he joined the Social Republic of Salo. His name is best known for his ties with Freemasonry came to join in 1963, the early '70s became the head of the P2 lodge, secret organization was discovered in 1981 when it was made public a list of 962 people who were part of it.

The chart shows the geographical distribution of Propaganda two components, spread throughout Italy, but with higher concentrations in big cities starting with Rome, and the profession pursued by the affiliates. The largest number relates to the armed forces, but there are also politicians, judges and journalists.

The name of Gelli and more generally that of the P2 lodge is linked to many of the mysteries that have gone through the history of republican Italy. The map retraces some of the key events in which this organization has been involved in various capacities, until the discovery of its existence and work of the parliamentary committee of inquiry commissioned by the then Speaker of the House Nilde Iotti to shed light on its activities.

Many people believe that Gelli brings with him to the grave many secrets. And besides, his name is linked to several scandals that have gone through the history of the Republic. Still in 2013, for example, the Palermo magistrates heard him in the investigation on the State-Mafia negotiations. Only one of the many Italian mysteries on which the venerable now can no longer help to shed some light.

From Wired