AGI – The rector of the Catholic University Franco Anelli was found dead Thursday evening 23 May in the internal courtyard of the building where he lived in the center of Milan. The 60 year old jurist and lawyer He committed suicide jumping from the sixth floor of the building where he lived. The alarm went off around 10.30pm and the 118 rescuers arrived on site and were only able to declare his death. Anelli had been in charge of the university with offices in Milan, Rome, Brescia, Cremona and Piacenza since 2013 and his term would have expired at the end of October.
There Milan prosecutor’s office will open a case on his death, a technical step to carry out all the necessary investigations, including the autopsy. Anelli’s gesture, however, is considered a suicide, without the involvement of other people. From the first inspection by the Carabinieri in the double apartment where the rector lived with his long-time partner no suicide notes would be found. According to what has been reconstructed, around 10.30pm the professor would have left the house and would have reached the sixth and last floor of the building in via Luigi Illica from which he would have jumped into the internal courtyard.
Bipartisan condolences from politics
“With sadness we learned the news of the passing of Prof. Franco Anelli, Rector of the Catholic University of Milan”, say the M5s exponents in the culture commission of the Chamber and the Senate. “In this moment of great pain, we join in the condolences of his family, friends and the entire academic community”, continues a note. “Deep condolences” are also expressed by the president of the Constitutional Affairs commission of the Chamber, Nazario Pagano, together with “closeness to the academic community of the Catholic University and the Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation”. “His dedication to education, training and academic progress has left an indelible mark on the history of the Catholic University and on the Italian university scene. Professor Anelli was an example of integrity, commitment and passion for knowledge , values that he passed on to generations of students and colleagues”, he continues. “His loss leaves a profound void not only in the academic community, but throughout the country. In this moment of great pain – concludes the FI exponent – I would like to express my most sincere condolences to Professor Anelli’s family and to all those who had the honor of knowing him and working with him.” “My deepest condolences and closeness to the family of Prof. Franco Anelli and to the entire academic community of the Catholic University and the Agostino Gemelli IRCCS University Polyclinic Foundation, which has lost a man of extraordinary culture and educational vision”, he says also the vice president of Action, Elena Bonetti.
The note from the Catholic University and Gemelli
“Late yesterday evening, in his home in Milan, the Magnificent Rector of the Catholic University Professor Franco Anelli tragically passed away in circumstances that are still being investigated”, reads the note released by the University. “With deep dismay, the Community ofCatholic University and the University Polyclinic Foundation Agostino Gemelli IRCCSto which he dedicated his work and his entire life – he adds – is gathered in mourning and prayer, expressing his deepest condolences to his mother and his loved ones”.
The condolences of the CEI and the Crui
“I share in the pain of the Catholic University and the Agostino Gemelli Irccs Polyclinic Foundation for the tragic passing of the Magnificent Rector, Professor Franco Anelli”. This is the condolence message from the president of the CEI, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi. “In this moment of dismay, on behalf of the Italian Episcopate, I express my condolences to his mother, to his loved ones and to the entire community of the University and the Polyclinic, to which he dedicated his existence. I assure the prayers of our Church, entrusting the dear Professor Anelli to the mercy of the Father”.
“Deep disturbance” was also expressed by the Conference of Rectors and the entire university system who “join today the academic community of the Catholic University and the Anelli family in expressing their deep condolences for the sudden passing of the rector Franco Rings”. “Franco was above all a friend – she commented emotionally Giovanna Iannantuoni, President of CRUI -. A profoundly ironic man with a coherence that is rare to encounter. We will miss him very much.”
