Pope Francis visited the Italian Senate this Sunday to pay tribute to Giorgio Napolitano, former president of the Italian Republic who died on 22 September.
The Holy Father went this morning to the Madama Palace, headquarters of the Italian Senate in Rome, to pray before the coffin of the political leader who died at the age of 98, whom the Pontiff defined as “a servant of the country.”
In a telegram of condolences released by the Press Office of the Holy See, Pope Francis also highlighted his “great intellectual qualities and his sincere passion for Italian political life.”
The Pontiff prayed in the burning chapel set up in the Senate in front of the politician’s coffin, where his family was also present.
Giorgio Napolitano, of the Italian Communist Party (PCI), headed the Italian presidency in 2006 and 2005 and was also Minister of the Interior.
His health had worsened in recent months and he had been hospitalized since May. The state funeral will be on Tuesday, September 26 in the Senate.