Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will join a religious procession this evening that the Vatican has decreed will earn participants remission of punishment for their sins.
The announcement has aroused speculation that Berlusconi is seeking forgiveness for his alleged sexual misdeeds, which have been the cause of much scandal — and amusement — over recent months.
However, since the procession in question will take place in the earthquake-stricken city of L’Aquila, where Berlusconi has made many well publicized visits recently, the more obvious motivation for today’s pilgrimage is electoral politics.
In any case, Berlusconi can’t qualify for the promised plenary indulgence without taking Communion. Amd he can’t do that because he has divorced and remarried — and is about to get divorced yet again.