They were not allowed to enter St Peter’s Square, which is not only Vatican territory but consecrated ground, since it is an extension of St Peter’s Basilica. Instead they held up banners on Italian territory on the boulevard leading up to St Peters. A spokesman for the Mario Mieli gay rights organisation in Rome said: “The Pope’s extremely serious and irresponsible words are even further removed from reality when we consider that condoms are unanimously and scientifically recognised as the principal means of Aids prevention.” The protesters held up banners reading: “Condoms aggravate the problem? Only for Pope Benedict”. Whereas Cardinal Bagnasco’s remarks were prominently reported however the pro-condoms protest was largely ignored by local media.
Appunti di un anonimo italiano
23/3/2009
