This is one for the history books

The Italian government has approved a bill that would recognize gay couples, similar to other civil unions existing in Europe, although not as strong.

Naturally, the Vatican strongly opposes the measure, which now goes to the Parliament for approval, facing an uphill hill, especially in the Senate, where the government's majority is razor thin.

From Raw Story:

Italy's government approved a bill Thursday granting new rights to de facto couples, including those of the same sex, in spite of strong opposition from the Vatican and resistance from Catholic lawmakers within its supporting centre-left coalition. Cabinet ministers unanimously agreed to the decision during an extraordinary cabinet meeting in Rome, Vannino Chiti, the minister responsible for relations with parliament, told reporters.

The bill, which must now be approved by parliament, allows de facto couples to make their relationship official by notifying their local registrar's office.
[...]
Thursday's decision was described as "historic" by left-wing leaders, coming more than 26 years after legislation on de facto couples was first submitted to parliament.

"For the first time in our country, people in a steady relationship, whether heterosexual or homosexual, are granted important rights," said Piero Fassino, head of the Left Democrats.
[...]
Catholic Italy is one of the few European Union countries that has yet to grant any rights to gay couples. Thursday's bill introduces so-called "civil pacts of solidarity" (PACS), along the line of similar legislation adopted by France in 1999.

PACS are "contracts" drawn up between two individuals who are in a stable relationship. Those who subscribe them enjoy greater rights and responsibilities, but less so than marriage.
[...]
The bill can expect a rough ride through parliament. While Prodi can rely on a comfortable majority in the lower house, he commands only a razor-thin majority in the Senate.

More from Yahoo:

The Church and the Vatican see the planned legislation as an attack on the concept of marriage as the union of a man and a woman, while two-thirds of Italians favor the measure, according to a poll carried out last month.

To satisfy all components of the ruling coalition, the new legislation will result in far less robust civil unions, or PACS, than those that exist elsewhere in Europe.

Whether the bill will pass as is, altered, or not at all, this is really a historic occurrence for gays living in Italy.

And it's also surprisingly refreshing to see that a strong majority of the population favors same-sex unions in spite of the strong opposition from the Church.

Thank you Mr. Prodi.