The Catholic Church’s influence runs deep in Italian politics, and the new government headed by the center-left Enrico Letta is no exception. As Letta formed a new coalition government on April 27, the Associated Press wrote this: “Letta comes from a moderate wing of the left-rooted Democratic Party that is close to the Vatican. Since Parliament always includes an array of lawmakers enjoying good ties to the politically influential Catholic Church in Italy, this was one more qualification on Letta’s bridge-building résumé.”

The Global Post refers to Letta as “a moderate with strong ties to the Catholic Church.”

Enrico Letta is the nephew of Gianni Letta, whom the Telegraph refers to as “Silvio Berlusconi’s right-hand man.” Gianni Letta, it writes, “is known for his keen political cunning and has worked as a behind-the-scenes negotiator for the former prime minister, keeping back channels open with the Vatican when Berlusconi was under fire from the church for his Bunga Bunga parties.”

The Vatican also has a strong influence in Letta’s cabinet. Prof. James Walston, head of International Relations and Global Politics at the American University of Rome, notes on his blog that the cabinet “is one way or another Catholic and so a throwback to the Christian Democrats.”

“Two (Maurizio Lupi—Infrastructure and Mario Mauro—Defense),” he continues, “are members of the powerful Catholic pressure group, Communione e Liberazione.”

The Catholic Church, then, will retain some influence on the new government. Yet at the same time it is moving onto the turf of former comedian Beppe Grillo and his revolt against Italy’s political elite. “Meanwhile, rallying to the side of citizens feeling neglected by their political class were leaders of Italy’s politically influential Catholic Church,” wrote AP, as Giorgio Napolitano was given an unprecedented second seven-year term as Italy’s president.

The pope even spoke up for the unemployed masses during his weekly audience on May 1: “I call on politicians to make every effort to relaunch the labor market. … Work is fundamental for dignity.”

The Vatican has long had deep political roots in Italy. Watch for it to use this influence to play a leading role in Europe as unemployment becomes the most pressing issue of the day. For more, read Trumpet columnist Ron Fraser’s recent article “A Job for Europe’s Youth.”