Environmentalists Ask Sophia Loren To Renounce Ship

Film diva Sophia Loren was urged by environmentalists on Saturday to help stop MSC Divina entering the Venice lagoon.

MSC Divina is one of Europe’s larger cruise ships. She tips the scales at a staggering 139,500 ton and environmentalists are trying to stop cruise ships of this size from entering the Venice lagoon, stating they are damaging the delicate ecosystem.

The letter from the group, No Big Ships Venice Committee, to Ms Loren stated "We can't believe that you want your name, which is a legend in Italy and the world, to be associated with a ship that contributes to the destruction of Venice, part of humanity's heritage.”

"We are asking you to give up your role as godmother of the ship. Venice and the world would see that as a divine gesture. Venice belongs to the world. Help us save it.”

As the MSC Divina sailed past St Mark’s Square on Saturday there were a handful of protestors waiting to greet her with banners reading “No Big Ships”.

The letter continued by stating the larger ships cause vibrations and the waves caused by the wakes of their passage damage and disrupt the historic foundations of the area and its buildings.