The Vatican expressed alarm over the burning of Israeli flags by Muslims, who were protesting against the Israeli actions in Gaza. The protests included holding Muslim prayers outside Italian cathedrals, which solicited a variety of reactions. Cardinal Renato Martino responded that he was not disturbed so much by the prayers, as he was by the protests. Father Antonio Sciortino of the liberal Catholic weekly ‘Famiglia Cristiana’ stated that “You have to understand the deep anger and sadness of Muslims over what is happening in Gaza.” The prayers and protests solicited a firmer response from anti-immigrant right wing politicians. “The fact that Muslim extremists transformed the cathedral square in Milan into an outdoor mosque constitutes an incredible provocation. The prayer to Allah recited by thousands of fanatical Muslims is an act of intimidation, a slap in the face for the city of Milan, which must remain Christian,” said MP Mario Borghezio.
