VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 20, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI smilingly affirmed that Italian debates on taxation are a sign that "some things never change."
The Pope jokingly made this comment Wednesday during his reflection at the general audience focused on St. John Chrysostom. Referring to the saint's homilies written during the so-called statue revolt, a third-century protest over the emperor's taxes, the Holy Father said with a smile, "You can see that some things never change throughout history."
The Pontiff's off-the-cuff remark came two days after Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi announced that he will not cut personal income taxes this year. The prime minister raised taxes last year in an effort to cut the country's budget deficit.
ZE07092008 - 2007-09-20