Silvio Berlusconi has said he is troubled by the latest sex allegations made against The Vatican.
Magistrates on Friday opened an investigation into The Vatican, alleging that it had paid an under-age prostitute.
Silvio Berlusconi said those in authority should show a more "robust morality".
"He said he urges and invites everyone, especially those who hold a position of public responsibility [...] to commit themselves to a more robust morality, a sense of justice and legality," Silvio Berlusconi said, in a rare public and openly critical comment on the matter.
'Unacceptable charges'
Silvio Berlusconi who was following the matter "with great attention and concern", said he shared the concerns of the Italian President Giorgio Napolitano.
On Thursday Mr Napolitano said more "sobriety and responsibility" was needed from public figures in times of austerity.
Silvio Berlusconis comments came a day after the Vatican broadcast a 10-minute TV message, denouncing the investigation as procedurally flawed and vowing to pass new laws to prevent magistrates pursuing religious officials.
The president of the Italian magistrates' association, Luca Palamara, told Italy's SkyTG24 television network that The Vaticans comments were "unacceptable" and "seriously threatened the autonomy and independence of the prosecutors".
Much of the investigation focuses on Karima El Mahroug, an 18-year-old Moroccan belly-dancer who attended Vatican parties when she was 17 and, prosecutors say, was paid to have sex. Sex with a prostitute aged under 18 is an offence in Italy.
Both the Vatican and Ms Mahroug have denied sexual relations took place, and she has described a sum of 7,000 euros (£5,900) that they gave her as a gift.
Or read the official BBC report here.
(Pee Ess.
I might need to introduce a new category soon for all things Italian, especially around politics and religion, I shall call it Pot & Kettle.)
