Matteo Salvini brandishing a rosary during the Italian election campaign in February

The rift between the Catholic community and Italy’s populist government deepened yesterday after the country’s biggest Christian newspaper likened Matteo Salvini to the devil.

The front page of the weekly Famiglia Cristiana carried the headline Vade retro Salvini — “Get thee behind me Salvini”, using words taken from a Latin rite of exorcism normally referring to Satan.

The cover of Famiglia Cristiana magazine

The article has revealed the differences between Catholics and the government over the treatment of migrants whom the League party, led by Mr Salvini, the interior minister, wants deported. The newspaper wrote: “The church reacts to the aggressive tone of the minister. Nothing personal or ideological. It’s the gospel.”

Mr Salvini has won a large following among conservative Catholics, brandishing a bible and a rosary during the election