Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Pope uses historic address for veiled dig at Berlusconi

Peter Popham
Thursday 14 November 2002 20:00 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

In the first address by a Pontiff to the Italian parliament, Pope John Paul II launched a stinging attack yesterday on modern Western values, including consumerism, greed, immorality and a reluctance to have large families.

Italy's billionaire Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, the richest man in the country, who is still facing charges of corruption, including allegedly bribing judges, was quick to hail the Pope's historic address, calling it "a high and noble speech, full of love for Italy".

But when the Holy Father remarked, "to the eye of the wise, man counts for what he is, not for what he has; the human value of a person is ... related to what he is, not to what he has", it was hard to avoid the impression that he had in mind the relentlessly acquisitive man sitting immediately below the dais.

"A democracy without values is converted easily into open or covert totalitarianism," said the Pope, in a guarded reference to Italy's decade-long struggle, far from over, to rid its political system of corruption.

The Pope also fulfilled the hope of many when he called on the government to reduce the sentences of prisoners. Italy's most celebrated prisoner, an intellectual and journalist called Adriano Sofri, in jail for many years in Pisa for what his supporters believe to be trumped-up murder charges, said laconically: "Parole has arrived."

But the Minister of Justice, Roberto Castelli, in one of the day's few discordant notes, said: "As a Christian and a Catholic it is impossible not to share his feelings; as a minister, I think differently."

One Mafia boss was reportedly so moved by the Pope's comments on family values that he surrendered to prison authorities in Rome.

The Pope's journey from Vatican City to parliament covered two miles and more than 100 years of history. It ended the breach between Church and State that opened in 1870, when unification robbed the Popes of Rome.

Meanwhile, Mr Berlusconi appointed Franco Frattini Foreign Minister, ending 11 months in which he has performed those duties as well as those of Prime Minister.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in