I honestly find Italians (I am Italian born and raised) much much less "religious" than Americans. Even if the Vatican is very powerful, it doesn't influence politics at all like here, in Italy Church and State are totally separated from 1929.
Yes, mainly many of older generations go to church every Sunday (especially in the South, much more religious than the North of Italy) but most don't give a damn.
And yes, here in the US it would be unimaginable for a porn star who teaches at a prestigious University to be exposed of his past as a porn star and keep his job!