Pope Francis has
decided not to hold an Easter Mass for Italian parliamentarians
this year despite the massive turn-out for the service by the
pontiff last year, a senior clergyman said Thursday.
More than 500 MPs and Senators flocked to St. Peter's
Basilica on March 27 last year even though they had to be
present by 6 a.m. to attend the Mass.
But this year Francis has "renounced" holding a repeat
service, Monsignor Lorenzo Leussi, chaplain at the Montecitorio
lower house building told ANSA.
No reason for not holding the Mass for the MPs was given
but after last year's service some politicians who attended
moaned about what they considered the "excessive severity" the
pope displayed in his homily in which he lashed out at the
"ruling class" who had "distanced themselves from the people"
and "shut themselves up in their own group, party and internal
struggles".
Francis also lambasted "the corrupt" for whom "there is no
salvation".
During his homily Francis spoke also of "men with good
manners but bad habits" - a phrase that Italian President Sergio
Mattarella cited in his inaugural speech to parliament.
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