Italy's Cardinal Rambo defends his passion for guns - despite the Catholic Church's message of love and non-violence

By DAMIEN GAYLE

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A senior Vatican official was forced to defend his passion for firearms today after Italian newspapers dubbed him Cardinal Rambo.

Domenico Calcagno, head of the Administration of Vatican Patrimony, owns at least 13 guns, Italian media reported, including a Smith & Wesson 357 Magnum and a Turkish Hatsan shotgun.

But the 68-year-old cardinal claims he no longer shoots and only indulges his passion for weaponry by repairing them.

Rambo: Cardinal Domenico Calcagno has an arsenal of 13 guns - despite the Catholic Church preaching a message of non-violence

Rambo: Cardinal Domenico Calcagno has an arsenal of 13 guns - despite the Catholic Church preaching a message of non-violence

It is an ironic hobby for a senior Catholic churchman. On the face of it, the church preaches non-violence, turning the other cheek and brotherly love for all men.

Cardinal Calcagno told Il Fatto Quotidiano: 'This passion for weapons is long-standing. I used to go to shooting ranges. Unfortunately since I've been at the Vatican I had to stop.

'It's innocent. What I like above all is repairing weapons.'

Sylvester Stallone in a scene from the 1985 film Rambo : First Blood Part II

Sylvester Stallone in a scene from the 1985 film Rambo : First Blood Part II

Savonanews, from Savona in north-west Italy where Cardinal Calcagno used to be the bishop, reported the details of his arsenal.

It added that the cardinal was also a keen hunter and owned several rifles, AFP reported.

Cardinal Calcagno said he kept the weapons in a locked armoury at his home in Savona.

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