Guess who opposes display of crucifixes in Italian public buildings?

As any fan of Dracula, Twilight or other films about vampires knows, the mere sight of a crucifix, or even a simple cross, will scare off vampires and other beings from the nether regions. It probably works on Muslims too. As reported here in April, Markus Söder, Bavaria's newly sworn-in state premier, ordered that, effective June 1st, Christian crosses must be hung in all government buildings in the southern German state, as an "avowal of Bavarian identity and Christian values." The usual gang of secular humanists and anti-Christian SJWs reacted accordingly, but lo, it was done.

Now the newly-formed populist government of Italy has tabled similar legislation. When passed, the law will require a crucifix to be displayed in all public spaces and institutions, including ports (where "refugees" and asylum-seekers will land) and universities. Violators will be fined up to 1000 euros. The policy, if not the law itself, is not new. It has been challenged before, by the usual gang of etc etc, who were dismayed when, in 2011, the European Court of Justice ruled in favour of the policy. Sounds to me like a good idea to remind citizens and migrants alike that Italy is (in theory at least) a Christian country.

There are, of course, many who disagree. One of the leaders of the usual gang is none other than the Holy Father, Pope Francis, currently bidding for instant sainthood the moment he shuffles off this mortal coil by pandering to the Muslims, the Jews, the Protestants and just about everyone except traditional Catholics.

It will be remembered that Francis was a Jesuit. When Pope Bergoglio wishes to say something, yet not say it, he plays Edgar Bergen to the Charlie McCarthy of (on this occasion) Rev. Antonio Spadaro, S.J., editor of the Jesuit magazine Civilta Cattolica.

Father Spadaro, often described as a "key adviser" to Pope Francis [Maybe Spadaro is Bergen? Ed.], has criticized the proposed legislation, saying that "if you remove the [religious] symbolism from the crucifix...it becomes a parody." He did not explain exactly how displaying a crucifix outside a church removes its religious symbolism. That was left as unclear as, errr, a typical Franciscan pronouncement.

Another so-called Catholic magazine, Famiglia Cristiana, this week published an issue featuring a cover shot of Interior Minister Matteo Salvini and the warning "Retreat, Salvini!" (That was written in Latin, very unusual for a progressive Catholic publication.) Sgr Salvini said the magazine cover was in bad taste, telling the ANSA news agency, "I'm the last among good Christians, but I don't think I deserve this."

The latest attack on Sgr Salvini underscores the growing divide between the Catholic hierarchy and the faithful laypeople. While a number of prelates have publicly voiced opposition to the new government’s attempts to rein in rampant illegal migration, polls indicate that Sgr Salvini is the most trusted politician in the country, and his immigration policy has garnered broad support.