Mattarella writes to Pope Francis: ‘Best wishes for a speedy recovery’

Rome, 19 Mar. (LaPresse) – ‘Your Holiness, it is with sentiments of particular, affectionate closeness that I address you to extend to you my best wishes on the happy occasion of the solemn beginning of your Pontificate. Together with me, the Italian people is grateful to you for these twelve years in which you have offered the most authentic testimony of evangelical values, in constant service not only to the Catholic Church but to all Humanity’. Thus the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, in a message sent to Pope Francis. ‘The opening of the Holy Door at the Roman prison of Rebibbia at the beginning of the Jubilee year, as well as the decision to raise Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati to the honours of the altars in the coming months – much-loved figures, also by the younger generations – inspire in my fellow citizens lively gratitude towards the Bishop of Rome, whose particular solicitude for Italy we all feel. In this spirit, Holy Father,’ the Head of State concluded, ’I renew to you my sincere wishes for every good fortune in the continuation of your Pontificate to which I add those – all the more heartfelt – of a speedy recovery.