The following is the telegram of good wishes sent by the Holy Father Francis to the President of the Italian Republic, the Hon. Sergio Mattarella, on the occasion of his re-election:

Telegram of the Holy Father

HIS EXCELLENCY

HON. SERGIO MATTARELLA

PRESIDENT OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC

PALAZZO DEL QUIRINALE

00187 ROME

I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR RE-ELECTION TO THE SUPREME OFFICE OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC AND WISH YOU EVERY SUCCESS IN YOUR NOBLE CALLING, WHICH YOU HAVE ACCEPTED WITH A SPIRIT OF GENEROUS READINESS. IN THESE TIMES OF THE PANDEMIC, IN WHICH MANY HARDSHIPS AND UNCERTAINTIES HAVE SPREAD, ESPECIALLY IN THE WORKPLACE, AND IN WHICH, ALONG WITH POVERTY, FEAR HAS INCREASED, LEADING TO ISOLATION, YOUR SERVICE IS EVEN MORE ESSENTIAL TO CONSOLIDATE UNITY AND TRANSMIT SERENITY TO THE COUNTRY. I ASSURE YOU OF MY PRAYERS, THAT YOU MAY CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE DEAR ITALIAN PEOPLE IN BUILDING AN EVER MORE FRATERNAL COEXISTENCE AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO FACE THE FUTURE WITH HOPE. MAY THE PATRON SAINTS OF ITALY ACCOMPANY YOU AND INTERCEDE FOR YOU.

FRANCISCUS PP

From the Vatican, 29 January 2022