by our Rome correspondent
A LEADING, still unidentified, Vatican cardinal close to the Pope has asked a public speaking expert to provide courses in diction for priests.
Italian theatre actress Fiorette Mari will charge just under £20 an hour to teach clergy how to speak from the pulpit and "reach the hearts" of their congregations.
Improved diction would render sermons more convincing and less boring, said Mafi who was asked to incorporate special courses for clergy following the success of her three-month-old public speaking lessons for 56 Italian politicians.