An unusual reaction from a priest during the riots that took place last weekend in central Milan has gone viral on social media, garnering millions of views and comments.
The protagonist is 65-year-old Father Giannicola Maria Simone, who, when a young participant in the riots showed him the middle finger, decided to respond in kind.
The incident occurred in front of the church of Saint Alexander of Zebedee, a few meters from Via Torino, as the young people involved in the incidents were trying to leave the city center.
The priest, who comes from Milan and has dedicated his life to working with young people, explained what happened, why he reacted this way, and how he is coping with the comments the video has provoked.
"I was inside the church and I was watching what was happening. At one point I saw that from Turin, the gathered people started to push and scatter in the narrow streets towards Piazza San Alessandro. Then I ran to close the church.
"There were many people trying to escape the violent demonstrators and I let them all in. They were not believers who had come for the service, but tourists and other passers-by. They stayed here until the riots passed," the priest told Corriere.
When asked about the action he took, which many considered to be created by Artificial Intelligence, he said: "It's true, although there are now fake versions of it circulating. Here's what happened. When these young people were passing by, someone showed me the middle finger. They're children, so it doesn't surprise me. I responded with the same gesture, but without any intention of violence or desire to cause even more tension."
When asked if he regretted it, he replied: "No, I don't think there is any question of regret. If I had punched him, then yes. But I have never raised my hand to anyone, even in the most difficult moments."
I'm 65 years old and I've worked with children and young people all my life. Sometimes you have to tell them "be careful what you're doing". Of course, if we weren't in that climate of incidents, I would never have done such a thing." ©LAPSI.al
