Divine Intervention: Pope Backs Fiat Workers

Disgruntled Italian workers received an unexpected support from Pope Benedict himself last Sunday, after his Holiness addressed the economic situation during his weekly Angelus blessing. Although, as usual, the Pope's backing only came in the form of general, vague pieces of advice, strongly catholic workers now feel entitled to demand employers to hear the Pope's calling.

"The economic crisis is causing the loss of many jobs and this calls for a huge sense of responsibility by everyone: entrepreneurs, workers, governing officials," the Pope was quoted as saying by Autonews.

"I think of some difficult situations in Italy, like, for example, Termini Imerese and Portovesme ... Do everything possible to protect and spur job growth, assuring dignified and adequate work to sustain families."

The Pope's words were picked up and turned into weapons by opposition politicians, who began pressuring the government into adopting new anti-crisis measures.

Next Wednesday, the Fiat workers at the Termini Imerese factory announced they plan a four-hour strike to protest against the plant's complete shut down in 2011. A threat which didn't even make Fiat blink, as the carmaker can only be pleased with the voluntary stop of production.

After all, Fiat already plans a two-week stop in production at all its Italian facilities starting February 22, due to the lack of orders. Still, the carmaker announced it's willing to give up the plant for free, if this helps save jobs.