As millions of Americans grapple with whether they can be bothered to vote, parts of Western Europe continue the descent into hell.
Sparked by violent protests in Paris and across France, radical leftists in Italy took to the streets to dole out their seething rage.
Father Giannicola Maria Simone stood outside the Church of Sant’Alessandro di Zebedia in Milan as a group of agitators passed by. When one gave him double middle fingers, the priest responded in kind.
The photo of Simone went viral, and he later confirmed it was real, despite rumors that it was AI-generated.
“It’s real, even if they’re now making up fake versions,” Simone told Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera Thursday, the New York Post reported. “It happened like this: as these young people were walking by, someone gave me the middle finger. They’re kids, so I’m not surprised. I gave them the middle finger back, but without any violent intentions or the risk of sparking further anger.”
Simone said he had been watching the escalating violence in the street and had ushered scared tourists to seek refuge in the church ahead of the exchange.
“I was in the church watching what was happening… then I saw them pushing forward and spreading out into the side streets, and I ran to close the church,” Simone said. “There were lots of people fleeing the rioters, and I let them all in. They weren’t worshippers, but tourists and other passersby. They stayed here until the chaos passed.”
Simone said he has no regrets and is being called a “hero” for helping innocent bystanders and for standing his ground.
Italy, Milan. The looters provoke a parish priest for a blessing. He gives it. Instantly. Hero. https://t.co/WmLM3L2nx7
— RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa) October 20, 2026
@RadioGenoa This priest got balls of steal unlike Macron’s jello balls!
— Norm Tweeter (@TweeterNorm) October 23, 2026
The violent riots that began on October 17 led Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office to invoke stricter penalties for rioters and parental liability for minors’ damage.
Milan’s streets DESCEND into CHAOS as masked thugs vandalise police vehicles.
These aren’t students protesting for change. It’s an attack on Italian law and order by those who have ZERO RESPECT for the country that took them in. https://t.co/5Pc8z6K7U1
— America~ First Lioness Justice for Charlie~ (@AmericaFir9vxb) October 23, 2026
Outside Milan Cathedral, criminals, many of whom are not Italian, attack police and create chaos. https://t.co/lZxNjsy6e0
— RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa) October 22, 2026
Many argue Meloni’s actions aren’t enough.
To all invaders and communists:
The Italian paratroopers of the “Folgore” (Thunderbolt) Brigade are coming to Milan to hunt you down.
Italy belongs to us, and we will defend it until our dying breath. https://t.co/0ntAiPp8XO
— Francesco
Pray for Italy and stay tuned.
