Pope Calls for Calm, Italy Rocked by Political Debate

LONDON (The Catholic Herald) - Benedict XVI has entered a fierce political row triggered by a Catholic magazine which claimed that Italy is in danger of returning to Fascism under Silvio Berlusconi. Famiglia Cristiana caused uproar last week when it compared the government's crackdown on gypsies, immigrants and the homeless to Benito Mussolini's racial laws. Benedict XVI appeared to enter the debate on Sunday by saying the Church had a duty to combat "the temptation to racism, intolerance and exclusion". He said: "One of humanity's great achievements is in fact overcoming racism." His remarks came just days after the Vatican distanced itself from Famiglia Cristiana by clarifying that it was not an official organ of the Church. Although Benedict XVI spoke in general terms during the Sunday Angelus, he appeared to draw a... [read full story]