Lavish mafia funeral causes outrage in Rome

Rome’s politicians have expressed their horror at the lavish funeral of 65-year-old mafia clan leader Vittorio Casamonica. Casamonica’s casket was brought to the funeral in a gilded horse-drawn carriage and showered with rose petals thrown from a low-flying helicopter.

As hundreds of tearful mourners paid their final respects, the theme tune from The Godfather movie was played outside the San Giovanni Bosco church on Rome’s outskirts, and a banner by the entrance to the church said ‘You conquered Rome, now you’ll conquer paradise.’ Video of the funeral was played on Italian TV newscasts throughout the day, and officials from across the political spectrum expressed their alarm that a funeral could be ‘transformed into an ostentatious show of mafia power.’ Read more: theguardian.com