Sunday, Dec 22 2024 Donate
A service of EWTN News

Former Italian prime minister's head replaces Pope’s in photo goof

The pastor of a parish in Padua, Italy is running a Christmas campaign on the importance of forgiving people. Unfortunately, he mistakenly used a doctored photograph of John Paul II in which the late pontiff’s head had been replaced by that of former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.

The priest decided that for his weekly bulletin the famous image of Pope John Paul II forgiving his attempted assassin Ali Agca would be the ''most eloquent illustration of our theme'', according to ANSA news.

He discovered the modified photo in an internet search and put it into the bulletin thinking it was the original image.  He did not notice that the Pope’s face had been replaced by the smiling head of Berlusconi.

In the altered photograph, Ali Agca was also wearing a t-shirt with the slogan “Kill the Enthusiasm.”

''It was an unforgivable error,'' the apologetic priest told parishioners.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

At Catholic News Agency, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and fidelity to our faith. We provide news about the Church and the world, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church. When you subscribe to the CNA UPDATE, we'll send you a daily email with links to the news you need and, occasionally, breaking news.

As part of this free service you may receive occasional offers from us at EWTN News and EWTN. We won't rent or sell your information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Click here

Our mission is the truth. Join us!

Your monthly donation will help our team continue reporting the truth, with fairness, integrity, and fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Church.

Donate to CNA