That is risky: if left for any length of time, those pledges give banks an incentive to behave recklessly.

ECONOMIST: The credit crunch

But what made his comment incendiary was the fact that it came amid a spate of well-publicised crimes that left many wondering if length of stay should be the only condition for citizenship.

ECONOMIST: Italy and immigration

Despite addressing reporters at length, Lombardi left many questions about what will come next unanswered -- including those concerning exactly when a successor will be elected.

CNN: February 12, 2013 -- Updated 2035 GMT (0435 HKT)