"My favorite character after Pinocchio, I love him madly"

The Pope as a puppet

After having played the wooden puppet that came to life in 2002 in the giant flop cost well 45 million dollars, now Benigni plays a role a little more appropriate to his age, or that of master Geppetto. And in an exclusive interview granted to Christian family (reported in some excerpts from Adnkronos) with his usual goodness confesses to the weekly: "I would like to say to Pope Francis that I love him madly and that, after Pinocchio, is my favorite character ". Practically, the Pope is put by Benigni to the witch of an imaginary character.

From an iron communist to a crib fan

And for the genesis of his character, Benigni confesses that he was inspired by his father: “I come from a family that has known poverty. My father was a farmer, but he also knew how to work wood. I was inspired by him to play Geppetto. Our house was very similar to the one you see in the film: we had the hearth designed on the wall because we couldn't afford the wood for the fire. But what a joy it was when at Christmas the Crib was made". From I love you Berlinguer at the flap, the debacle of Benigni, who made a scandal by appealing to Pope John Paul II "Wojtilaccio" and interpreting the desecrating Il Pap'occhio with Renzo Arbore.

Vote Blue Fairy

Then, always to say something of bad goodness related to politics (but of excellent promotion for Pinocchio): "How many cats and foxes we find in politics today that promise us to make us rich overnight. Or Candle-lights that make everyone become donkeys, making us go back to follow our lowest instincts. Politicians should be better than us, so that we can take them for example like Pinocchio does with the Blue Fairy ".

Ilaria Paoletti