Rome church condemns funeral with swastika-draped coffin and fascist salute

“'This ideological and violent exploitation, especially following an act of worship near a sacred place, remains serious, offensive and unacceptable for the church community of Rome and for all people of good will in our city'

A picture made available by the Italian online news portal Open, showing people gathered around a swastika-covered casket outside the St. Lucia church, in Rome, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022. The Catholic Church in Rome on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, strongly condemned as “offensive and unacceptable” a funeral procession outside a church in which the casket was draped in a Nazi flag and mourners gave the fascist salute. (Open Via AP)

The Catholic Church in Rome has strongly condemned an “offensive and unacceptable” funeral procession outside a local church during which the coffin was draped in a Nazi flag and mourners gave the fascist salute.

Photos and video of the scene outside St Lucia church following the Monday funeral service were published by Italian online news portal Open. They showed around two dozen people gathered outside the church as the swastika-draped coffin emerged, shouting “Presente!” with their right arm extended in the fascist salute.