"There must be limits," said Famiglia Cristiana, an influential Catholic magazine that is distributed in parishes across Italy. "Those limits of decency have been exceeded. Those who have power, even with wide popular mandate, cannot claim they are in ethics-free territory," the magazine said in an editorial this week.
What the magazine was referring to is the seemingly extravagant life style of Italy's Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Just days ago, a high-end prostitute said she has proof she spent the night at Berlusconi's Rome residence after a party that allegedly featured the prime minister's wisecracks, his cabaret crooning, and a bevy of sexy women.
And the new accusations could not have come at a worse time. The prime minister is set to host some of the world's top leaders at a G-8 summit in earthquake stricken L'Aquila, Italy.
Following the meeting, which ends July 10, President Obama will fly to Rome to meet with Pope Benedict.