Pope Francis Lampooned at Huge Viagreggio Carneval Parade as "Papa Communista"

Che Pope with Hammer and Sickle

(Rome) Rose Monday is a traditionally cheerful day celebrated in the Rhineland and the Alemanic areas with large carnival parades. Four years ago, on this day, the Catholic Church was struck by the unexpected announcement of Pope Benedict XVI. Surprising, as he was the first head of the Church in history to step down from his office because of old age and weakness. In 2017, Pope Francis was the main figure of the largest Italian Carnival parade - in a very special way.

At Carnevale di Viareggio, Italy's most famous carnival parade, to which more than 300,000 people came to the Tuscan city this year, were met by a float dedicated to Pope Francis.

Fidel Castro, one of the four Communist "godfathers" of the "Papa Comunista".

The Catholic Church's chief was portrayed with a radiant face, Che Guevara cap and red star. His shepherd's staff in his right hand was not decorated by a cross, but by hammer and sickle. Apparently it was a homage to the hammer and sickle cross, which Bolivian President Evo Morales had given to the pope in 2015. The left hand was clenched to the fist, the battle salute of the workers' movement, which is still practiced by left-wing groups. The pope was surrounded by putti-like gold figures depicting Marx, Lenin, Mao and Fidel Castro.

In short, Pope Francis was shown as "Papa Comunista", "Communist Pope".The laughing expression of the face of the carnival figure testified that the authors did not mean this representation negatively in any way.

The Carnival parade of Viareggio, a town in deeply political Tuscany, was founded in 1873, when some rich citizens disguised themselves to demonstrate incognito against excessive taxes. Since then, the move has served as a "valve" to let go of displeasure in current circumstances or to express things that are otherwise might not be said.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Image: InfoVaticana
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
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