Italian clothing company Benetton has enraged The Vatican with an image of Pope Benedict kissing an imam on the mouth. Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi called the unauthorised and "manipulative" use of the Pope's picture in the photo montage totally unacceptable and suggested it might take legal action. "This is a grave lack of respect for the Pope, an offence against the sentiments of the faithful and a clear example of how advertising can violate elementary rules of respect for people in order to attract attention through provocation," he said. A large banner with the image of the Pope and the imam was hung from a bridge near the Vatican on Wednesday morning before it was removed. Other photos in the campaign supporting its newly-created Unhate Foundation show other world leaders kissing each other on the mouth, including US President Barack Obama kissing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 17th November 2011 - 10:27am