Guzzanti is accused of "offending the honour of the sacred and inviolable person" of Pope Benedict XVI and is being prosecuted under a 1929 law - signed by fascist leader Benito Mussolini - which stipulates that an insult to the Pope carries the same penalty as an insult to the Italian President.

Guzzanti condemned the Vatican's interference in issues such as gay rights during a rally in Rome in July, saying: "Within twenty years the Pope will be where he ought to be, in Hell, tormented by great big poofter devils — and very active ones, not passive ones."

Last update: 01-29-2009 17:25