Vatican Squashes Gay Photo Exhibit

After threats of legal action from the Vatican, an art gallery in Rome has covered up its exhibit of photos depicting gay men kissing in Catholic churches. Pink News reports:

The photography series by Gonzalo Orquin, had been due to open at the Galleria L’Opera beginning on Wednesday evening. The photographer said the gallery had received a legal notice from the Vatican, and that he and the gallery had decided to cover up the photographs. “A letter arrived from the Vicariate of Rome, an organization that is part of the Vatican, which said the church is against the exhibition. I spoke to lawyers and for security reasons we decided not to show the photos,” Orquín told The Local. The Vicariate admitted sending the threatening letter, and said the exhibition “could harm the religious sentiment of the faithful”. The Vicariate is an organisation which helps Pope Francis carry out his duties as Bishop of Rome.

According to a Vatican spokesman, the photos are illegal because the Italian constitution "safeguards an individual’s religious feeling and the function of places of worship."