don mario picchi lives in rome and has been a catholic priest for the last 36 years. [picchi speaking italian] [translator] undoubtedly, religious faith has weakened. i think it is probably partly due to the fact that it has been a very superficial faith. we probably have less worshippers today, but i would say that the ones who remain are a little more convinced. years ago, faith was often something you wore like a sunday outfit, your sunday best, you often wore more to please others than because of your conviction. so what would happen at the very moment that as a catholic you are called to be true to your faith and afford to observe certain teachings because of something specific that has come up? then undoubtedly, the outfit is not worn, and the superficial faith can no longer be counted upon. i would say, however, that for many, it's a moment of great reflection, especially when it comes to the question of contraception and the birth of children. religion is, however, still a strong traditional influence over italians. one factor which helps explain the extreme d