Comic escapes prosecution for insulting Pope
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An Italian comic who said Pope Benedict would be punished in hell for the Church's treatment of homosexuals was spared possible prosecution on Thursday when the Government blocked an investigation against her.
Sabina Guzzanti, one of Italy's most biting political satirists, made the remarks before a cheering crowd of thousands gathered at Rome's Piazza Navona in July.
A Rome prosecutor suspected the comments broke a law protecting the honour and dignity of the leader of 1.1 billion Roman Catholics under a 1929 Italian treaty with the Vatican.
But the treaty, signed by fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, required government approval before the investigation could go forward.
Justice Minister Angelino Alfano decided to block it.
"I decided not to authorise it, knowing well the stature and capacity of the Pope for forgiveness," Mr Alfano told Italian media.
The Vatican said it considered the case closed and added there was no point dredging up the "deplorable" comments in a legal battle.
"The Justice Minister's decision was wise," Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi told Ansa news agency.
"The Pope's authority is far too superior to be dented [by the comments] and, in his magnanimity, he considers the case closed."
- Reuters
