Condom hand-out at St Peter's
2005-04-21 20:38
Vatican City - An Italian sexologist handed out condoms in the Vatican's main square Thursday in protest over the Roman Catholic Church's prohibition of their use, even to protect against Aids.
Giuseppe Cirillo told AFP that he was on Saint Peter's Square to "ask the new Pope Benedict XVI to relax the Church's policy and for him to tell people that condoms are medicine".
The 52-year-old Cirillo has his own brand of condoms, with the packet bearing a photo of him smiling, holding a book and pointing a finger at the sky.
"For now, I am giving them away as a promotional offer, but I plan eventually to sell for 50 euro cents each," he said, posing for photographers with a handful of his wares at the top of Via della Conciliazione, the broad avenue that leads into the square.
Cirillo seemed not to be bothering police on patrol in the area, while passers-by expressed their appreciation for his gesture.
"It is very good, very important to do that," said Giuseppe, a 65-year-old retired soldier.
Spotting a priest passing by in his cassock, Cirillo quickly offered him a condom.
"No, no. No thank you," said the priest.
Cirillo retorted: "You know, I have seen priests in Africa handing them out."
The late Pope John Paul II regularly preached sexual abstinence and marital fidelity as the only appropriate way to guard against Aids.
His successor is equally conservative.