The Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, has been criticised by a senior figure in the Vatican for setting a bad example. Berlusconi, 72, is currently embroiled in a public divorce with his wife who accuses him of being too friendly with young girls and women.

Cardinal Walter Kasper, the head of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and a close aide to the Pope said "everybody, but above all a head of government" should act with "seriousness and sobriety" and refrain from "excesses".

Speaking to La Stampa, the Cardinal said, “A greater attention to privacy would have been more fitting for both spouses,” especially as being a Prime Minister, Berlusconi is seen as “an example of success by millions of men and women”.

Mr Berlusconi says that his wife’s allegations have been fabricated by left-wing political opponents. He has been criticised for putting forward young, attractive, but otherwise seemingly unqualified women as candidates for the European elections.

Sofia Ventura, a lecturer in political science, spoke out against Berlusconi for “co-opting young girls, sometimes very young girls, of undoubted good looks but with a background in which it is hard to discern any justification for their presence in an elected assembly”.

Some in Italy have pointed out that the initial criticism came from Gianfranco Fini, an ally of Berlusconi who is the Speaker of the Lower house and co-leader of the governing People of Liberty Party. However there is also speculation that Fini is hoping to succeed Berlusconi should he be ousted from power.