Christian party formed in Italy

ROME — An Egyptian-born writer who renounced Islam and was baptized a Roman Catholic by Pope Benedict XVI said he has formed a political party that would enter candidates in next year’s European Union elections.

Magdi Cristiano Allam said his Protagonists for Christian Europe party would work to defend Europe’s Christian values, which he sees threatened by secularism and moral relativism. He said his new party would be open to people of all faiths.