Church and state cross swords in Italy over immigration, autonomy

ROME – An unusually direct and public clash between church and state is unfolding in Italy, where both Pope Francis and the country’s bishops are perceived to be challenging the center-right government over both migration and proposals for greater regional autonomy.

In a clear sign of those tensions, the leader of Italy’s far-right anti-immigrant Lega party took to Facebook late Wednesday evening to ask his followers, “What do you think of the bishops’ attacks?” – provoking a predictable cascade of critical replies.