Feature

The limits of our deference to the pope.

The week's news at a glance.

Italy

Eugenio Scalfari
La Repubblica

Pope Benedict XVI is getting a bit meddlesome, said Eugenio Scalfari in Rome’s La Repubblica. It’s not surprising that he opposes Italy’s proposed law legalizing civil unions for cohabiting straight or gay couples. But this draft law—which has yet to be approved in parliament—doesn’t go as far in extending gay rights as already-enacted laws in the Netherlands, Germany, and even Spain. Yet the pope reserved his fury for Italy, declaring last week that “no law made by man can subvert the law made by the Creator without damaging society in its very foundations.” Then he sicced his bishops on the Cabinet in some of the most aggressive lobbying this government has seen. Benedict seems to hold Italy to a stricter standard than other countries. But while it’s true that the concordat between the Roman Catholic Church and the Italian state is written into Italy’s constitution, that doesn’t mean church doctrine is the law of the land. Prime Minister Romano Prodi is “a good Catholic who attends Mass and takes communion weekly,” but he legislates for all citizens, not just for good Catholics. Faith may adhere to dogma, but democracy works by compromise. An Italian leader does not have to follow the pope. He has only to obey the constitution—and “his own Catholic conscience.”

Recommended

More than 260 killed and 900 injured in Indian train crash
The aftermath of a deadly train crash in India.
Rest in Peace

More than 260 killed and 900 injured in Indian train crash

10 things you need to know today: June 3, 2023
President Joe Biden during an Oval Office address on the debt ceiling.
Daily briefing

10 things you need to know today: June 3, 2023

The Check-In: Mindful travel in Hawaii
A coconut on a beach in Hawaii
Feature

The Check-In: Mindful travel in Hawaii

Will Moscow drone attacks turn Russians against Putin?
A building damaged by a drone attack in Moscow
Talking point

Will Moscow drone attacks turn Russians against Putin?

Most Popular

How could AI cause human extinction?
An illustrated image of the evolution of humans, marching toward a city on fire
Today's big question

How could AI cause human extinction?

Why are so many boomers homeless?
Homeless person and tents
Today's big question

Why are so many boomers homeless?

Is Trump's wall working?
International Border Wall Between Tecate California and Tecate Mexico.
Briefing

Is Trump's wall working?