Antonio Pappalardo has been removed from his position as interim director of the Center for Juvenile Justice in Emilia-Romagna after his remarks against Pope Francis. Last Tuesday, the head of the Department of Juvenile Justice and Communities, Antonio Sangermano, ordered “an investigative inquiry into the statements attributed to the director,” which has led to his removal today.
According to some lawmakers, Pappalardo allegedly accused Pope Francis on social media of being “an ‘antipope’ who has taken over the Church.” These remarks sparked outrage among some members of the Democratic Party who urged Minister Nordio to intervene, resulting in an investigative inquiry by the head of the Department of Juvenile Justice and Communities, Antonio Sangermano, “to ascertain whether there are grounds for disciplinary action against the director.”
The comments made by Pappalardo were brought to light by Democratic Party senator Sandra Zampa. “I read with deep dismay the statements against Pope Francis that were allegedly spread today via social media (on the Telegram channel ‘Logos e Libertas’). These are hallucinatory and unprecedentedly grave words,” she remarked, “in which Pappalardo accuses the Holy Father of being an ‘antipope’ who has taken control of the Church.” “Offensive words that mock the photo of Pope Francis at the time of his resignation from the Gemelli Hospital. Words that offend the memory of Francis and the entire Church, as well as the Italian citizens.” Left-wing regional and municipal councilors in Emilia Romagna called for “the resignation from the position or the revocation of the same position by the Ministry of Justice: It seems clear to us that the fate of hundreds of boys and girls in juvenile detention facilities and communities where unaccompanied foreign minors are housed cannot be in his hands,” they stated.
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