Rome (Italy): An itch that just won't go away for the Vatican. First, the book sold 40 million copies in three dozen languages. And now comes The Da Vinci Code movie.
The Pope has been silent on the phenomenon, but elsewhere within the church, reaction to 'the code' has covered the spectrum.
It would take more than a film to shake the foundations of the catholic church, but The Da Vinci Code, with its mix of fiction, fact and faith, has caused at least a few small tremors.
One senior church official is calling on catholics to boycott the movie. Another is harshly critical.
The Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell says, "I think the The Da Vinci Code is a load of nonsense."
The reason - the Da Vinci Code's claim that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were lovers and that a powerful organization linked to the church conspired to commit murder to keep it a secret.
While some at the Vatican believe the story is blasphemous, the Pope has said nothing on the matter.
Says Vatican official, Father Joseph Di Noia, "I would say that people are talking about it casually and concerned about it, but there is no concerted effort to address the problem of The Da Vinci Code. There is just a sense many people who have read it are, as I am, mystified by the popularity of it."
Vatican officials fear the success of the The Da Vinci Code will blur the line between fact and fiction.
"It has to do with the harm it does to people's faith not the harm that it does to the public image. It's not a question of image or spin, it's something a lot more important," says Father Di Noia.
The problem with the movie, Vatican officials say, is the claim that the story is based on historical fact.
The Vatican's dilemma is also evident among the thousands of pilgrims in St. Peter's square.
In Rome - as elsewhere around the world - the movie promotion is well underway.
"It made me think a little, I think one wonders how much is fiction and how much is real. And I bought into a lot of it. I really want to investigate it further," says a reader
Vatican officials are likely to remain low-key for they know that controversy generates publicity. But a few officials admit privately, that they do intend to see The Da Vinci Code.
(With inputs from Anumeha Chaturvedi)
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