The following is the telegram of condolence on the death of the President emeritus of the Italian Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, sent by the Holy Father Francis to the late President’s wife, Mrs. Clio Bittoni Napolitano:

Telegram of the Holy Father

DEAR MRS. CLIO BITTONI NAPOLITANO

THE PASSING OF YOUR HUSBAND, SENATOR GIORGIO NAPOLITANO, HAS STIRRED IN ME FEELINGS OF SORROW AND, AT THE SAME TIME, GRATITUDE FOR THIS STATESMAN WHO, IN PERFORMING HIS HIGH INSTITUTIONAL DUTIES, MANIFESTED GREAT GIFTS OF INTELLECT AND SINCERE PASSION FOR ITALIAN POLITICAL LIFE, AS WELL AS KEEN INTEREST IN THE FATE OF NATIONS. I GRATEFULLY RECALL MY PERSONAL MEETINGS WITH HIM, DURING WHICH I APPRECIATED HIS HUMANITY AND FARSIGHTEDNESS IN MAKING IMPORTANT DECISIONS WITH RECTITUDE, ESPECIALLY IN DELICATE MOMENTS IN THE LIFE OF THE COUNTRY, WITH THE CONSTANT INTENTION OF PROMOTING UNITY AND CONCORD IN A SPIRIT OF SOLIDARITY, INSPIRED BY THE PURSUIT OF THE COMMON GOOD. I WISH TO EXPRESS MY PROXIMITY TO YOU, YOUR CHILDREN AND YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS, ASSURING MY REMEMBRANCE IN PRAYER. IN OFFERING MY CONDOLENCE, I INVOKE UPON YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES THE CONSOLATION OF THE HEART.

FRANCISCUS PP.