FILE - In this Nov. 21, 2019 file photo, Pope Francis blesses a statue of the Mother Mary as he celebrates Mass at the National Stadium, in Bangkok, Thailand.
The Vatican’s Pontifical Marian Academy launched the think tank Friday at a conference titled “Liberating Mary from the Mafia.” It was a reference to the historic relationship between the Italian mob and the Catholic Church, and the popular displays of Marian devotion by mobsters in Italy and beyond.
The Catholic Church in Italy has long been associated with the Mafia, thanks in part to their post-war common cause against communism. While some Catholic priests have courageously opposed the mob — and paid for it with their lives — others have been called to explain their celebration of funerals, weddings and other sacraments for mafia dons, acceptance of their donations and participation in their religious processions.
Irrelevant
Virgin Mary is the mother of all, including the Mafia.
as if all their Marian statues and trinkets aren't used as merchandising gimmicks...
Wow ..this what they focused on with everything going on in the world
jbadomics Maybe religion should stay in its own fking lane and stop being a part of this world, as their Jesus directed.
It's about time. Only the Catholic church can use the image of the Virgin Mary for their own illicit ends.
The Pope should just pray for their souls. It is useless to stop them. They likely know where they are goingon judgment day.
Now you watch there will be hail mary branded ecstasy soon because they brought attention to it 🤣
As if they didn't literally use the image of the virgin mary to subdue and enslaved millions of Native Americans
The Vatican and the Mafia are one and the same. They both need to be destroyed.
“Thou shall have no idols”
Yeah only the church can do that
Right. There can't be two organizations exploiting the image of the Virgin Mary for their own benefit )
Why don't they ask g*d to stop them
So that the church can start getting that money back!!!
The Vatican and the Mafia have had a tight relationship for hundreds of years and they still do
Thanks the lord they don't have to worry about the Calvinist Mob.
Catholic Church is an organized crime operation exploiting religion
In this day and age...this is what we are spending money on? Not ending world poverty, hunger, war. Religion needs to go...entirely.
Petty.
🥴 Just end misogyny within instead.
I mean. I guess when you’re head of a child molestation factory, this is obviously the issue where you should “take a stand.” Sure.
Who will stop the Vatican from using Jesus and Mary for their illicit ends?
Uhmmm, what the what linorulli? I need some discussion. InsideCatholicBaseball
I see they are taking the rise of fascism in the USA seriously
Did not know that was a thing.
Joseph, Jesus, Mary, James were Palestinians.
But they exploit it when they molest lil boys
Maybe he should liberate the church from pedophiles.
Will the Vatican bank stop receiving money from the narcotic dealers and mob?
I'm so glad I'm an Atheist.
The democratParty can be considered mafia
Maybe they could spend the money to prevent their own clergy from exploiting children instead?
Wat.
Hahaha good luck with that.
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