The Vatican has slapped a ban on the filming of a prequel to The Da Vinci Code called Angels and Demons in any of its churches in Rome, calling the work ‘an offence against God’.

Angels and Demons, the latest book from Dan Brown to be turned into a film, includes major episodes that take place in the Vatican and two churches -- Santa Maria del Popolo and Santa Maria della Vittoria -- in the Italian capital.

"It would be unacceptable to transform churches into film sets so that his (Brown's) blasphemous novels can be made into films in the name of business," the British media quoted Archbishop Velasio De Paolis, the Head of Vatican's Prefecture for Economic Affairs, as saying.

The flick sees Tom Hanks reprise his role as Harvard University Professor Robert Langdon. This time, however, he is on a mission to save the Vatican from being blown up by a canister of anti-matter.

But, a Spokesperson for Vatican, Father Marco Fibbi, said: "Usually we read the script but in this case it wasn't necessary. Just the name Dan Brown was enough."

According to him, most films are given permission as long as they respect the ‘traditions of the Church’. "Angels and Demons peddles a type of fantasy that damages our common religious beliefs, just like The Da Vinci Code did."

In fact, the Catholic Church is still angry over The Da Vinci Code, which suggested Jesus might have been secretly married to Mary Magdalene.

When the movie came out, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican's Secretary of State, said: "Boycotting this film is the least we can do. The book and the film are a pot pourri of nonsense, a phantasmagorical cocktail of inventions."

Meanwhile, the crew of Angels and Demons would now relocate to Caserta near Naples where the former Royal Palace will double up for the inside of the Vatican. The film is due to be released next May.