At a political rally, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini commended his country, its citizens, and himself to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
This has never been done before by an Italian politician and while some Catholics have applauded it Pope Francis, who despises Salvini’s anti-globalist conservative policies, is reportedly displeased.
The nationalist leader made the pledge to the Virgin Mary at a rally in the Piazza del Duomo in Milan which was attended by tens of thousands of supporters.
Salvini who is attempting to forge a coalition across the EU amongst the bloc’s nationalist, populist and Eurosceptic movements appealed to the six patron saints of Europe to aid him in his cause.
Holding a rosary and standing before a statue of the Blessed Mother atop the 14th-century Milan Cathedral Salvini proclaimed, “I entrust Italy, my life, and your lives to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, who I’m sure will bring us to victory.”
Salvini’s League party hosted the leaders of 10 other nationalist parties from across Europe, including France’s Marine Le Pen, a week ahead of the European Parliament elections in which populists are expected to win big.
The rally and veneration of the Virgin Mary, however, drew a sharp rebuke from Jesuit Father Antonio Spadaro, a close confidant and advisor to Pope Francis.
The Jesuit leader also opposes a move by Salvini to mandate crucifixes being placed in all public buildings.
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin also issued a thinly veiled rebuke of the Deputy PM last Sunday stating
“I believe partisan politics divides, but God belongs to everyone,” Parolin told reporters at the Cathedral of St. John Lateran. “Invoking God for oneself is always very dangerous.”
Ironically, Pope Francis has been the most politically partisan pope in decades.
Pope Francis’ Vatican has been overtly hostile to Italy’s conservative government and Salvini in particular for its stance on mass migration, in particular of Muslims, to Italy and their nationalist policies of putting Italian interests before those of the EU.
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