Following the funeral of a 44-year-old militant, mourners, without the parish priest’s consent, draped a Nazi flag over the casket outside the church.

“This ideological and violent exploitation, especially following an act of worship near a sacred place, remains serious, offensive and unacceptable for the Church community of Rome and for all people of good will in our city,” the Vicariate of Rome said in a statement that described the Nazi flag as “a horrendous symbol irreconcilable with Christianity.”