Silvio Berlusconi was accused today of committing sacrilege with the complicity of the Vatican after he was shown on television taking holy communion at a funeral even though he is twice married and is seeking a divorce from his second wife.

Mr Berlusconi, 73, took communion at the funeral in Milan of Raimondo Vianello, a veteran television variety show star.

Vatican officials said this was permissible because Mr Berlusconi, 73, was in the process of divorcing Veronica Lario, his second wife, and was de facto separated from her.

Archbishop Rino Fisichella, head of the Pontifical Council for Life, said the Church had not therefore made an exception for him.