London, November 20 (ANI): Vampire film ‘New Moon,’ the sequel to ‘Twilght,’ has come under fire from the Vatican church.

Monsignor Franco Perazzolo, of the Pontifical Council of Culture, described the film as a “deviant moral vacuum”.

“This theme of vampires in Twilight combines a mixture of excesses that as ever is aimed at young people and gives a heavy ­esoteric element,” the Daily Express quoted him as saying.

He added: “Men and women are transformed with horrible masks and it is once again that age-old trick or ideal formula of using extremes to make an impact at the box office.

“This film is nothing more than a moral vacuum with a deviant message and as such is something that should be of concern.”

However, the film grossed 1.8million pounds at the box office on the opening day in Italy. (ANI)