«We live in times of great difficulty, after the Second World War we were able to focus on multilateralism, a system that seems to be progressively set aside. The logic of the strongest sometimes seems to prevail. Dignity of groups and peoples are often trampled upon” and more and more “arms are resorted to to resolve disputes”. In Pope Leo’s first visit to the Quirinale, the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella focuses his speech on peace, on putting aside war, on the search for solutions that provide lasting stability. He speaks of the liberation of the hostages and the “atrocious wound” of October 7, but also of the “response that exceeded the boundaries of humanity”. Today there is, as Pope Prevost says, “a spark of hope that must be supported with conviction” with a view to achieving two peoples and two states. «We hope», continued Mattarella, «that the ongoing negotiations on the subsequent stages will conclude positively and lead, as soon as possible, to a definitive interruption of hostilities and the violence in the Strip, also for the benefit of the general stability of the Middle East and the Holy Places, to relaunch the solution of a State for each of two peoples, the only one capable of allowing the possibility of a future in which everyone – Israel and Palestine – find peace and security”. And he clearly reaffirms that «true, lasting peace resides in the souls of peoples. Otherwise, resentment smolders under the ashes of the end of the violence, ready to flare up again at the first opportunity that can be exploited, only to then realize that the end of the violence is transformed, unfortunately, into a parenthesis between two explosions.” He talks about Ukraine and the many wars that hurt the world and underlines that «the ones who pay the price of a world in which peaceful coexistence is so endangered are always the most vulnerable, especially children and young people. It is not acceptable for the future to be taken away from entire generations. Christian communities often pay a high price in wars, targeted for the role of stabilization and moderation that they traditionally exercise, particularly in the Near East.”
Pope Leo listens and thanks. «As Bishop of Rome and Primate of Italy», he explains, addressing the President of the Republic, «for me it is significant to renew, with this visit, the strong bond that unites the See of Peter to the Italian people, which you represent, in the context of the cordial bilateral relations that exist between Italy and the Holy See, permanently characterized by sincere friendship and effective mutual collaboration».
After recalling the visit of Pope Francis and the great help that the Italian State gives to the Vatican on the occasion of numerous events, particularly in this Jubilee year, Prevost also addresses the theme of peace. «There are numerous wars that devastate our planetand looking at the images, reading the news, listening to the voices, meeting the people who are painfully affected by them, the words of my Predecessors echo strongly and prophetically.” He quotes Benedict XV, Pius XII, John XXIII and invites us to look at “the faces of those overwhelmed by the irrational ferocity of those who mercilessly plan death and destruction”. And it renews «the heartfelt appeal to continue working to re-establish peace in every part of the world and to increasingly cultivate and promote the principles of justice, equity and cooperation between peoples which are indispensably at the basis of it”, as Paul VI already explained. He expresses appreciation for «the Italian Government’s commitment to many situations of hardship linked to war and poverty, in particular towards the children of Gaza, also in collaboration with the Bambino Gesù Hospital. These are strong and effective contributions for the construction of a dignified, peaceful and prosperous coexistence for all members of the human family». He insists on the «common commitment that the Italian State and the Holy See have always made and continue to place in favor of multilateralism» which is «a very important value. The complex challenges of our time, in fact, make it more necessary than ever for shared solutions to be sought and adopted. Therefore it is essential to implement its dynamics and processes, recalling its original objectives, aimed mainly at resolving conflicts and encouraging development by promoting transparent languages and avoiding ambiguities that can cause divisions”.
And he also speaks of the eighth centenary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of Italy, which offers «the opportunity to place emphasis on the urgent question of care of the “common home”. Saint Francis taught us to praise the Creator with respect for all creatures, launching his message from the “geographical heart” of the Peninsula and making it reach us, through the beauty of his writings and his testimony and that of his friars, through the generations down to us.” Precisely looking at Saint Francis, says the Pope, «I believe that Italy has received in a special way the mission of transmitting to peoples the culture that recognizes the earth «as a sister, with whom we share existence, and as a beautiful mother who welcomes us in her arms»».
Finally he talks about the birth rate and migrants. «In recent decades we have witnessed in Europe, as we know, the phenomenon of a notable decline in birth rates. This requires commitment to promoting choices at various levels in favor of the family, supporting their efforts, promoting their values, protecting their needs and rights”. He talks about the defense of life and the need for everyone to have access to treatment. And then he expresses “gratitude for theassistance that this country offers with great generosity to migrants, who increasingly knock on its doors, as well as its commitment to the fight against human trafficking. These are complex challenges of our times, in the face of which Italy has never backed down”. The Pope encourages «to always keep alive the attitude of openness and solidarity. At the same time I would like to recall the importance of a constructive integration of those arriving into the values and traditions of Italian society, because the mutual gift that is realized in this meeting of peoples is truly for the enrichment and good of all. In this regard, I underline how precious it is for everyone to love and communicate their own history and culture, with its signs and its expressions: the more you recognize and love serenely what you are, the easier it is to meet and integrate others without fear and with an open heart.”
He denounces a «certain tendency, in these times, not to sufficiently appreciate, at various levels, models and values developed over the centuries that mark our cultural identity, sometimes even claiming to erase their historical and human relevance. Let us not despise what our fathers experienced and what they passed on to us, even at the cost of great sacrifices”, says Leone. «Italy is a country of immense wealth, often humble and hidden, and which therefore sometimes needs to be discovered and rediscovered. This is the beautiful adventure into which I encourage all Italians to embark, to draw hope and face present and future challenges with confidence.”
