ROME, APRIL 23 – In the “dramatic context of an international and, in particular, Middle Eastern situation marked by violence, conflicts, impulses for revenge”, “Your appeals to safeguard the essential bonds of brotherhood sound appropriate and pressing, appeals that do not cease to question the consciences of millions of women and men from every continent and who constitute fruitful seeds of justice and peace for believers and non-believers”. The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, wrote this in a message sent to His Holiness Pope Francis on the occasion of his name day. “Your Holiness, on the occasion of your name day, may the most fervent and sincere wishes of the Italian people and my personal ones reach you, together with affectionate wishes of health and well-being for your person – writes Mattarella -. As you recently declared, ‘no one must threaten the existence of others’. Even this fundamental rule – this ‘minimum level’ of human coexistence – is called into question.” “On the occasion of the feast of Saint George, I renew to you, Holy Father, the expressions of the closeness of the Italian people and of my utmost consideration for your high apostolic mission”, he concludes. (HANDLE).
