Come on people read the article.

She hasn't even been convicted let alone sentenced and the maximum penalty is 5 years imprisonment. Surely for a first offence she would get a small fine at the most if that is the maximum. People have lost their jobs for less . All she will probably get is a fine

Michael, Brisbane,

I attend Mass weekly, and I say she mustn't be prosecuted. A church that is protected from mockery by the state is no longer a church, but an organ of the state; and it must be so much more than that. All flirtations by Christianity with temporal power are best left in the past. Christ upends power.

biomuse, San Jose, USA

Phil Belmont,
Yes, she broke the law. Put her in jail if you wish, but expect to have laws passed against Catholicism. Expect the U.S., to return to the days when Catholics were unemployable. Don't expect secularists like myself to defend your "freedom of religion."

Frank, San Diego, U.S.

Megan,

Are Sabina's remarks as evil as the Pope calling the adoption of children by gays "violence against children"?

Frank, San Diego, U.S.

How utterly ridiculous!

Religion must have NO special privileges and must never be exempt from criticism.

This contemptible act makes the Papacy and the authorities appear to be both incredibly pathetic and utterly vindictive.

Hayley, England,

Considering that freedom of speech is illegal in most EU countries -- try saying "Sieg Heil" in Austria -- much of this comment is a bit dishonest.

But the case should be dropped; no-one is really harmed, I think. And so should all the "anti-hate" laws in this country

Roger Pearse, Ipswich,

Why would she say such things? She has no concept of the eternal horrors of hell; of what it means to be eternally separated from God. Rather than a (well-deserved) jail term, I think Catholic compassion requires us to offer her fraternal correction and a chance to repent.

Gabriel Espinosa, Monticello, NY

Phil, Belmont, USA
Speaking as you do from a nation which guarantees your freedom of speach, you appear not to believe that such rights should apply elsewhere.

The point here is that it is surely unacceptable in 21st century Europe that freedom of expression is not guaranteed for all EU citizens

Ian Cattell, Stafford, UK

Let it go to court, get the media to give it as much exposure as possible. Cartoonists can depict the pope having done to him what she suggests. The Vatican can try to squirm out of their unjustifiable position. Homosexual groups can get to put their point(s) across. Result all round!

Phil, Tauranga, Newe Zealand

Hello! This isn’t about the Vatican or Catholics doing anything it is just a prosecutor upholding the law.

Italian law is often archaic. Why should the prosecutor turn a blind eye to this law just because many people don’t like the Pope?

Bonita, Brisbane,

Vilifying particular people based on their group eg. religion attracts sanctions in many countries. A radio commentator discussing cricket made a much milder comment about a cricket player for being Muslim not long ago and he lost his job. Here max sentence 5yrs. What will she get a small fine? Wow!

Michael, Brisbane,

If the Pope can say homosexuals will go to the Hell, why an Italian woman can not say the same about the Pope?
(I'm Italian - and I feel ashame for this medieval laws...).

Matteo, Trento, Italy

Comedians work on acts to make us laugh. Us being the commoners who watch as the world is constructed around us to instill fear! Fear in God, who forgives sins and most likely commoners with a voice who jokingly state that anyone would go to hell and be tormented by gay demons. Governmental religion

kelly davis, temple, us

"It is the law. She broke the law, so she should be punnished according to the law. The punnishment is 5 years in jail. She should not have broken the law."

Phil, sometimes laws are just wrong, or stupid, and don't deserve to be enforced. This is one of those times.

Are you perhaps a McCain voter?

Jon, Augsburg, Germany

It is the law. She broke the law, so she should be punnished according to the law. The punnishment is 5 years in jail. She should not have broken the law.

Phil, Belmont, USA

Sounds more like North Korea.

Ben, York,

When they call for her execution by beheading and threaten to bomb Yuk Yuk's, then I will be concerned. The law might be a little outdated, but if her idea of a funny joke is to suggest that a good Pope belongs in hell being tormented by homosexual devils, then may be she needs some comedy lessons.

Lorraine, Edmonton, Canada

Italy today is a country so fascist that Adriano Sofri, in prison for the death of Luigi Calabresi, killed by red terrorists, can write against his son, now journalist, and say it was good to kill Calabresi because he was doing revolution in Italy. Why Owen doesn't write about this?

Betty, Florence , Italy

The Christian Religion is about forgiveness!! Forgive and forget!

Louis, Liverpool, UK

Have these people got nothing better to worry about?

John F, London,

Comedians mock people, its what they do.It always amazes me when religious people get up in arms about a play/book/movie/comedian etc that satirises or mocks religion.If you find a book or whatever offensive, dont read it!Sad that a modern EU country would react like this.

Jon E, London, England

Thank heavens in the UK we can say whatever we want about anything without any fear of criminal prosecution whatsoever - especially when we talk about religious things. (Unless we talk about Islam, Catholicism, Judaism, immigration, terrorism, litigious celebrities, etc etc etc etc...)

George, Exeter, UK

The forces of the Endarkenment march on. Ms Guzzanti should have told the joke in Rome's Campo di Fiori where the Catholic Church used to burn people who dared to exercise freedom of speech and thought.

Mike Cotgreave, Liverpool, UK

It's not the Vatican pressing charges!!! It's Berlusconi's government taking advantage of a law written ages ago. The Vatican doesn't need all this nonsense. Her fault is being a left wing supporter. She still shouldn't reach low level satire just to offend catholics anyway.

Andrae, Palermo, Italy

Let's see if she has the guts to re-tell a Mohammed version of the joke in public.

RB, Aberdeen,

My support goes to Sabina Guzzanti and she must not be prosecuted.
The Vatican must accept the fact that many are particularly weary of the a dogmatic religious leader whose ancestors kept a population under oppression. The Middle Ages or Dark Ages have left a deep scar in the Italian culture.

Rosanella, London, UK

the christian are the same as the muslims.

Vik, London,

"She should move to the US, she can say whatever stupid thing she wants to say without fear"


Hope so. Just have a look at the next foum on Russell Brand.

Alex, London,

More proof that the RC want to make laws and rule people. If you remove the 'devine' label, the pope is a political leader fighting for power and therefore should be open to debate like anyone else. People can never be free to think what they will if the demontrable fraud of religion continues.

Matt, Antibes, france

The Catholic church blamed the Danish cartoonist, not Islam

Matt, Antibes, france

Catholics trying to re-impose their law on a free society, Americans backing Palin and her belief that she does god's will! And the religious crack-pot psuedo-scientists say that a partical accelerator will end the world?
Vote for reason and rid this planet of those who claim devine guidance.

Matt, Antibes, france

Living in Italy has taught me a few things... 1) Their laws are archaic at best...followed by their form of government. 2) People in the South of Italy need to learn to drive. 3) Everyone wants change, but no one is willing to do anything for change, they expect someone else to do it for them.

Mike, Naples, Italy

To Andrea in Turin,
If you don't understand the RCC has always been a political party, you better start reading history quick & begin with Catholic Encyclopedia, published by themselves-- starting out with how politically fractious it was in Constantine's time + how Niceae! fixed it at swordpoint!

Terri Dance, Salisbury, Missouri, USA

How will the prosecutors prove that what she said was not true? What will be the evidence? Who will be the witnesses? Unless you're guilty until proved innocent in a Catholic country

Bill Peter, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Any and all religions are a load of sheep manure designed to enable a group of otherwise ineffectual and effete men to remove themselves from meaningful contribution to society, while demanding tax breaks and useless demands upon that selfsame society. Abolish or imprison these clandestine groups.

Bruce Tiplady, north bay, canada

God can defend himself. He doesnt need (and never asked for) us passing laws to protect him.

adamrussell, sierra vista, usa

Why is it always necessary to single out the Catholic faith with insults and negative remarks? If this woman can't have respect for religious beliefs and leaders of religion than she deserves whatever she gets.

Anita, Florida, USA

Before my fellow Americans get too indignant, we'd do well to remember that in 2002 a man was sent to federal pen for telling a joke about GWBush. In the joke, God strikes him with lightning - the punchline "It wasn't be the first time God spoke through a burning bush." They called it a death threat

Carl, Salt Lake City,

Why is it when a set of old and generally untrue beliefs are grouped together around an old imaginary being in a thing called religion we are required to assign them respect ?

If Mein Kampf had been written 1400, 1900 or 3400 years ago would I be required to respect Hitler worshippers now ?

Mike Smith, London, UK

They didn't have condoms wo thousand years ago and you need to read the scientific facts, condoms do not stop AID'S.

D J. Kelly , Sarasota, USA

Amazing. Italy manages to portray itself as a modern society, but this evidence seems to indicate it is (or is heading towards being) nothing but a medieval theocracy. Surely she is a free to say that, as supporters of the pope are free to spout their nonsense.

John Dale, Sunderland,

WOW! In the U.S. we have free speech so I wouldn't want her prosecuted. But then this is Italy so she needs when to keep her mouth shut. "When in Rome...."

Juan Oskar, Phoenix, AZ, U.S.A.

She should be locked up and the key thrown away. Not for insulting the Pope but for cracking extremely unfunny jokes.

Billy Barnett, HK,

First Schumacher gets in trouble for conducting the Italian national anthem now this.

Italians don't have a sense of humour....

James , Glasgow,

To John from Nottingham,

If someone came to me and was "disgustingly rude" I would not expect the law to intervene. We are not children. Sticks and stones, Johnny!

Josh, Phoenix, USA

"Condoms don't stop AIDS" is one of the stupidest things I've ever heard. Stop reading your contraception advice from a book more than 2000 years old; things change.

Everyone knows that Catholicism can be excessive, and it should not take someone being arrested to induce such outrage.

Benedict, Oxford, UK

Her bigger offense is telling such a lousy "joke." That warrants atleast 6 months.

Mark, Chicago, United States of America

So...insulting one religion is free speech but insulting the pope results in jail. The West should shut up about free speech and individual freedom. Even Bin Ladin and cohorts practice what they preach...

John Taylor, London,

I say they should let her go. I bet the pope would say the same.

I hope the joke was funnier in Italian, though.

Russel, Princeton, USA

this is an arguement over nothing. If the comedian gets jail time then so be it. Mind your own business, it is their laws. We Americans don't place each other in jail because we are such a sue happy nation that we basically punish ourselves. In my opinion it's about time that Catholics fight back

Rick James, intercourse,

Actually John, swearing at someone isn't illegal in the UK unless you threaten them or put them in fear of violence. The point about freedom of speach is that it applies to everyone, not just those who's opinions you agree with. This is some Orwellian **** and no doubt. Join the 21st Century Italy.

Charlie, Nottingham, UK

Offensive and hateful people need to be free to express themselves so we may better recognize them for what they are.

Professor Gas, Pleasant Hill, USA

Freedom of Speech ? Anti-social behaviour of which swearing and being disgustingly rude to people is illegal in the UK. If someone walked up to you and swore at you and was disgustingly rude to you you would expect the Law to intervene to stop it. Would you not? honestly ?? Of course you would!

John, Brighton, UK

I always find it interesting that leftist thought is always pitted against Christianity. Since apparently Yaweh was on the Right. This case seems politically motivated and if I were Italian I would be embarassed about this abuse of government power...and that is coming from an embarassed American.

Bill, Pittsburgh, USA

China welcomes Italy to the club.

Howard, Manchester,

Its funny/ironic listen to Dario Fo talk about "free speech". Dario Fo is a Communist and never, ever had a word of support for the millions of victims of that evil ideology...
how easy is complain about the "imperfections" of the free societies and turn your back to the real horrors of the left

giorgio, stockholm, sweden

I agree with her father. She should be made to walk barefoot across hot coals. It's still better than cutting off her head.

Michael, Chicago, USA

To Andrea from Turin:
I totally agree with you. Besides, I fear the satire is unwillingly part of the game now: it gives us an impression of freedom, whereas it is only conditional release.

Antonio, Venezia, Italy

To Rober Amarillo USA: No, this isn't Europe. This is Italy and things like these prove that fascism is all but past.
I personally think that the EU should do something about this, because it's unacceptable in a country which considers itself a democracy (but I don't think it is).

Jacopo, Italy,

Some folks have stated here that this generation is evil, that she is evil. You are suporting a law that was placed on the books by Facist govenrment!

How sad, you have forgotten how evil the Axis forces were.

Shame on those of you who support this law of evil.

Pete, Ocean County, USA

Unfortunately, many liberals have no qualms about insulting catholics, or christians in general. While I don't question their right to free speech, I find it necessary to point out that these same people wouldn't dare make the same sort of comments about a more repressive religion, such as Islam.

Demosthenes, Missoula, USA

It is all about daming Catholics - perhaps we should start beheading idiodts like the muslims do! Then we can have a dialogue!

Jack Meoffe, buttercup AZ, USA

It's unfortunate that this comedian may get more time in prison than a murderer, rapist or child abuser would in Italy. The bright side is that time in an Italian jail isn't 'hard' time. The lefties who run the country make it more like an enclosed country club. She wont miss much.

Jonny K, San Antonio, USA

Well, the law's the law - heck, even here in the U.S. I can't be sure what I can say. Meaning, if I say something someone finds offensive, and he beats me for it, the judge may very likely find the judgment against me for 'instigating'.
Freedom of Speech - it was fun while it lasted.

Mark, Jersey City, USA

I agree with Gabrielle. You can't legislate for poor taste. Sounds like this lady is the Italian equivalent of Russell Brand. The best thing is to ignore these people. I'm sure the Italians will have the good sense to ignore such people. It's not Russia afterall.

Bob, Liverpool, England

Insulting the Muslim Prophet is "free speech"!! Hmmm satire!But insulting the Pope is CRIMINAL!!!! Call it hypocrisy of western "democracy"! I would love to hear from the likes of Salman Rushdie, Ayan Hersi and Fox news admit that the Vicar of Christ can't stand criticism! Is this Italy or Tibet??

Ken Watson, Los Angeles, USA

If in USA we arrested everybody that insulted our president, we would be arresting 80% of the population. Free speach might not always be fun to listen to, but it is one of the few powers citizens need to have over their government. Without it, a government (or religion) is free to do evil.

joenz, Columbus, Ohio, USA

A prison sentence for making a joke about someone? Are you kidding me? What century is this? I can see if the pope wanted to sue her in a civil court, but how in the world in this day and age is this in any way a criminal matter? I'm so glad to live in the USA!

Jennifer, birmingham,

The Pope is only a smokescreen in this made up controversy. Supressing criticism of the government and prominent politicians like Berlusconi is the real goal.

I thought the EU was an advanced civilization and not prone to Taliban like tendencies.

FREE SABINA!!!

Bogie, Illinois, USA

Is this the Europe that Europeans brag about?

RoberTx, Amarillo,Tx, USA

She should move to the US, she can say whatever stupid thing she wants to say without fear

maka, olympia, USA

Hard time in Italy in these days. We have gay persons beaten by fascists, corruptions like maybe third world countries, and a prime minister that hold in his hands 90% of tv and 60% of newspapers. The Vatican is much more a political party than a spiritual guide here, with all this means...

Andrea, Turin, Italy

So it's OK to question Jesus's sexuality but NOT OK to question the Pope's.For goodness sake, the Pope is just a human being, therefore he should be able to cope with it all. Those that love Jesus have had to put up with far worse, hearing the one they love being impugned with 'gay' abandon.

Julia Pomeroy, Chester, England

Is Italy in the 14th century now, or what?
If the Pope is "inviolable", then how is it even possible to offend him? That which is "sacred" should hardly need protection from the words of us mere mortals. One is either unassailable, or not -- you can't have it both ways.

James W. Davis, San Antonio TX, USA

Go ahead have your say, it will all come out in the wash one day. You insult the church, you insult christ and he does not forget, Get on your knees and beg for forgiveness.

chuck pliskin, albemarle, united states

Funny how those in power hate to be subject of satire. So the Pope is "sacred", well to me my cat is sacred but i would not wish a jail sentence for those who disagree.

iain rae, tunbridge wells, t.w.

I would hope the POPE will forgive her for her wayward comments, that is the Christian thing to do.

Since he denounces things like immigration enforcement in AMERICA, someone saying something personal about him shouldn't even be news worthy.

Forgiveness is the Christian thing to do, not jail.

Dr J ATX, austin, texs, USA

Dumb broad. Can't do any better than knock people down. Any idiot can destroy. It takes effort and courage to build up. Lets see some good work instead.

Tim, Texas, US

Once again, we have another story about religion.But for once it isn't about how Islam is being treated unfairly and or how terriost in the name of Allah are bombing the world. At least chirstainity is making a few headlines! For once, and as to this article what happened to the freedom of speech!

kat, Plymouth, England

Scary. The joke wasn't even funny, it was pretty adolescent stuff.

You don't have free speech unless you're free to offend people. You're not responsible for other people's sensibilities. Being crass shows poor taste but you shouldn't be locked up for it!

Lecture over.

Mark, London,

It was just a joke. And I do wish religious people would grow up and get a sense of humour. The sensible people on this planet have had to put up with violence and oppression in the name of religion for centuries and do you hear us complain??

... lol, ok hang on, I just did.

Taz, Portsmouth, UK

Come on, I don't recall the people quoted in the article coming to Brigitte Bardot's defense when she made comments about Islam. What about the Italian journalist taken to court in Bergamo, Italy for defaming Islam. Is the Italian Left saying some laws shouldn't apply to them because it is satire?

Alfred Hussein Newman, Atlile,

Why should a suggestion that somone is gay be an insult in any event? Leonardo and Michaelangelo were both gay, and their legacy will outlast any Pope's. Shame on Guzzanti, and shame on the idiots who think this worthy of a criminal prosecution.

Andrew, London, UK

Gay Catholic? I didn't realise the Roman Catholic Church was so open-minded.

andy, london, uk

This really isn't satire: it's vulgar, poor taste humour. Sharp satirical wit indeed!

Henry:"has protected..pederasts"

Catholic priests have lower rate of paedophilia than fathers. Condoms do not stop aids: they only delay infection. And our teaching is for Catholics who want to be Catholic.

Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK

Ehm, no. Viva Zapatero was never a widely praised film. And Berlusconi wields no influence on Rai. Rai in fact, as any Italian knows, is the first source of satire and criticism towards Berlusconi and the centro-destra. And no one will be prosecuted. Yet again a biased article about Italy. Well done

Fabrizio, London,

I believe that the alleged satire is not even a satire, its just a form of getting attention by shocking the audience. I believe there are many people who dislike the Church just because it exists, physically and in the hearts of men and it stands for something.
The left sure does need therapy.

Diogo Liberal, Lisbon, Portugal

While the law is on the books, it is the law. We cannot pick and choose which laws to obey and which not to obey. If you believe the law is unlawful, then have the law changed. Laws of libel (which is a different case perhaps) are laws that provide limits on random freedom of speech for example.

David, Prague,

While I believe she should be free to speak her mind without fear of persecution, I think her statement is very tasteless and crude. Instead of real debate, she chooses to mock people. It shows a lack of respect for her fellow human beings. I feel sorry that she is so full of hatred.

Dave, Boulder, USA

Good for her: please will the BBC bring her over?
And let's hope that unlike our 'courageous' politically correct satirists she will not be self censoring when it comes to Imams and Ayotollahs - not allowed here, we are worse than Italy in fact. Remember Rowan Atkinson etc 'Ayotollah song'?

Janice, Witney, UK

Such laws should be scrapped by the E.U., Freedom of Speech is a basic Human Right and calling any political leader a tw*t if you feel like it shouldn't ever lead to jail. At worse a fine, maybe, but nothing else.

Tom, London,

Instead to prosecute the PM, reaching the soil of 100 trials, against all law of statistic, always found not guilty, or with help of herds of well paid lawyers, treated as an innocent for the all italian law of non prosecution after 5 yrs, they chose to prosecute a comedian.
for insulting the pope!

edoardo chioni, Rome , ITALY

I visited Italy in 2004 and love it, but this reminds me of why I was happy to get home to the US. As a good Catholic, her remarks sound incredibly hostile and frankly, stupid, but as an American, she should have the right to say stupid things if she wants. One can't legislate good taste.

Gabrielle, Springfield,

Is there seriously a law in Italy where you can't say what you want freely?

Steve, California, USA

"Giovanni Ferrara, the Rome prosecutor, said that he had asked Angelino Alfano, the Minister of Justice, for permission to proceed with a prosecution. "

There will be no prosecution, there never was going to be. Complete non-event.

John, Edinburgh, UK

Evil has really been on the rise lately attacking the Vicar of Christ.

What an evil generation.

Nilo Cantonjos, Bayonne, USA

Good on her.
As head of the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope deserves to be ridiculed. For centuries this oppressive organisation has protected the pederasts within the ranks of its clergy and has colluded with despots and dictators if it thought to do so was to its advantage.
At present it is condemning millions to a miserable death from HIV/Aids, through its immoral and bigoted attitude to contraception. To claim that it is the biggest charitable organisation in the world is an affront to any decent human being.
This organisation constantly preaches about evil, it should know it is the very embodiment of the word.
Certainly it wants to stifle criticism, with its record who wouldn’t.

henry, Southampton, UK

If she is imprisoned, then there would probably be a good case for Amnesty International declaring her a "prisoner of conscience"!

Roddy Nicolson, Shetland, UK

No doubt Pope Benedict will turn the other cheek and meditate on John 15, verse 18. "If the world hates you, know you, that it has hated me before you."

Paul, Kendal, Cumbria

I know that it's the Pope and all but surely a verbal attack doesn't warrant gaol time? Surely his Holiness has more important things to worry about than a rude joke from a girl with a smart mouth? I feel very worried for the Italian people if they no longer have the freedom to satirise the PTB.

Kate, Cardiff, Wales

As a gay Catholic, I think the comment was rude and offensive, but there's a big difference between very poor taste and criminal activity - at least there should be.

Megan, Ann Arbor, US

This sure makes me appreciate the U.S. Constitution and the First Amendment freedoms of speach, press, and protest.

Carl Bankston, Victoria, Texas, USA

Wow, it seems like fascism is alive and well in Italy.

Matt, New Hampshire, USA

I don't think the gal ought to be prosecuted. Just by publishing her statements, she does more damage to herself with her very apparent and virulent hatred for Catholicism. It is a good comparative to see such a hate-filled person go against the largest charitable organization in the world.

Mel, Smalltownville, United States

The Pope gladly suffers insult, as he believes that sharing in the sufferings of Christ means he will also share in His glory at the resurrection.

Besides, if Catholics lay down laws like this while in power, what happens when their enemies gain power? Religious liberty is to be protected!

John Kane, Ottawa, Canada