ITALY:SILVIO BERLUSCONI's government was engaged yesterday in a vigorous damage limitation exercise after Pope Benedict appeared to lend his moral authority to speculation that Italy was in danger of returning to fascism.
In his usual Sunday address, the pope expressed concern at "recent examples of racism" and reminded Catholics that it was their duty to steer others in society away from "racism, intolerance and exclusion [of others]".
On any other day, his remarks might have been seen as no more than a restatement of Catholic doctrine. But they came in the midst of a furious dispute over an editorial published by Italy's best-selling Catholic weekly, Famiglia Cristiana.
In an editorial on Friday condemning recent government moves against immigrants and Roma, the weekly said it was to be hoped that fascism was not "resurfacing in our country under another guise".
The censure outraged Mr Berlusconi's supporters, many of whom are pious Catholics.
In an effort to calm the row, the Vatican's spokesman stressed that Famiglia Cristianawas not authorised to speak for either the pope or the Italian bishops' conference - which, as the magazine's editor noted, it had never claimed to do.
The pope's comments were seen by Mr Berlusconi's critics as a signal the Vatican was not distancing itself from Famiglia Cristiana. The premier's family minister, Carlo Giovanardi, denied the pope's words were aimed at the government. "The pope has a global perspective," he said. "He wasn't talking about Italy."
Famiglia Cristiana's editor, Fr Antonio Sciortino, said the pope "was certainly speaking to the whole world", but stressed that Italy, where there were "many signs of racism", was part of that world.
- (Guardian service)