His vanity and his delusions of being an international statesman have taken a knock from which they’ll never recover

Former premier faces community service or house arrest after judges uphold jail term

Postcard from Italy: Billionaire mogul has been told by his lawyers to put a sock in it

Puglian governor Nichi Vendola, one of the few leading politicians to come out as gay, hailed the Pope’s comments. “Pope Francesco has done something fantastic,” he said. “In one fell swoop he has distinguished homosexuality from paedophilia and also demonstrated the ability to listen to what the politicians seem to ignore.“

'If someone is gay and is looking for the Lord, who am I to judge him? You should not discriminate against or marginalise these people, and the Catechism says this as well'

Premier Enrico Letta cancels Greece trip, after 'huge tragedy'

The row over the presence of giant cruise ships in Venice’s lagoon was reignited this weekend after claims that a huge vessel belonging to the same company as the wrecked Costa Concordia sailed dangerously close to St Mark’s Square.

Italy’s dubious relationship with far-right politics is in the spotlight again with news that an unabashed neo-Nazi doctor has been reported to the country’s health ministry.

That Milan’s famous marble cathedral needs a constant supply of money for its restoration and upkeep is not in doubt..