When in Rome, don't insult the Pope 'cause you might go to jail

Italian comedian Sabrina Guzzanti learned this lesson the hard way.  The comedian/ actress narrowly escaped prosecution and a five-year prison sentence because of her off-color remarks made at a leftist rally.  Guzzanti was speaking out against the Vatican's global campaign against gay marriage when she said:

"Within 20 years the Pope will be where he ought to be -- in hell, tormented by great big poofter devils, and very active ones, not passive ones."

These comments prompted prosecutor Giovanni Ferrara to threaten to prosecute the actress for offending the honor of the sacred and inviolable person of the pope.  In order to move forward with prosecution, Ferrara has to invoke the Lateran Treaty to enforce this law.

But the treaty, signed by fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, required government approval before the investigation could go forward. Luckily for Guzzanti, Justice Minister Angelino Alfano decided to block it.