At this small sacred monument, the Croce di Monzone, I would like to offer visitors a short quote from Giovanni Guareschi (1908-1968). In one of the wonderfully narrated episodes—popular far beyond the borders of Italy—about his two protagonists, 'Don Camillo' and 'Peppone,' the combative priest is outraged by certain nocturnal activities of 'the Reds'—he calls them poisonous snakes to be crushed—and, as was his custom, discusses this with the crucified Christ on the church's high altar. Christ replies:
"When my Father created the world, he made a very clear distinction between animals and humans. This means that humans always remain humans… and that, consequently, they must be treated as such. If this were not the case, wouldn't it have been easier to destroy them instead of coming down to earth to redeem them by having myself crucified?" (Quote from G. Guareschi in: "The Punitive Expedition")