An Italian priest told a bewildered congregation on Sunday that the Mass he was saying would be his last because he had “fallen in love and I am leaving the priesthood”.

Marco Scarpa, parish priest at San Pantalon, Venezia, told the gathering at the end of the Mass that he had already told the Church authorities of his decision before he made it public, Italian media report.

He said that he wanted to take a break and reflect on his life choices. He also apologised for his sins and thanked the gathering for the years they spent together.

He has been replaced by another parish priest.