Vatican City:
The Vatican says it will take legal action against the Benetton clothing company to prevent the publication of an ad featuring a fake photo montage of Pope Benedict XVI kissing a top Egyptian imam on the lips.
The Vatican said in a statement Thursday the image is "offensive not only to the dignity of the pope and the Catholic Church, but also to the sensibilities of believers."
Benetton withdrew the ad immediately after its debut Wednesday once the Vatican denounced it as an unacceptable provocation.
Benetton had said its "Unhate" campaign was aimed at fostering tolerance. It featured photo montages of purported enemies kissing.
The Vatican said in a statement Thursday the image is "offensive not only to the dignity of the pope and the Catholic Church, but also to the sensibilities of believers."
Benetton withdrew the ad immediately after its debut Wednesday once the Vatican denounced it as an unacceptable provocation.
Benetton had said its "Unhate" campaign was aimed at fostering tolerance. It featured photo montages of purported enemies kissing.
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