Outrageous: Italian PM calls Pope Benedict a liar in newspaper

Watch it. That's my pope you're talking about:

The Italian newspaper Il Giornale, owned by the family of Italian PM Silvio Berlusconi, carries a headline today dominated by the words “Ha mentito” - “he lied”, referring to Pope Benedict XVI. The paper is busy stirring up trouble over the claims by Swedish TV, due to be aired tonight, that the Vatican knew in advance about the Holocaust-denying background of Bishop Richard Williamson before his excommunication was lifted.

The words “he lied” are admittedly taken from the programme. But it’s a malicious allegation: Benedict has told no lies whatsoever regarding this matter, even if Vatican officials working for him have a case to answer. (UK Telegraph Blog)

Damian Thompson has the full background.

Here's hoping the Vatican press office vigorously and competently defends the pope against these unfair accusations.

I mean, there's a first for everything.