Premier Giorgia Meloni voiced "deep
grief" over the pope's death Monday and said "a great man has
left us". She was speaking to Rainews.
"The whole world will remember Francis for being the Pope of the
people, the Pope of the least ones", Meloni told Tg1.
In an emotional voice the Prime Minister added that "I will miss
him too, we had an extraordinary personal relationship, he was a
pontiff with whom you could talk about everything, he was very
special".
In a statement, the premier repeated that Francis had been a
great man and a great shepherd and "we will walk in his
direction, he gave a change of direction for peace".
"Pope Francis has returned to the house of the Father. This news
saddens us deeply, because a great man and a great shepherd has
left us.
"I had the privilege of enjoying his friendship, his advice and
his teachings, which never failed even in moments of trial and
suffering.
"In the meditations of the Via Crucis, he reminded us of the
power of the gift, which makes everything flourish again and is
capable of reconciling what in the eyes of man is
irreconcilable.
"And he asked the world, once again, for the courage to change
direction, to travel a path that "does not destroy, but
cultivates, repairs, protects.
"We will walk in this direction, to seek the path of peace,
pursue the common good and build a more just and equitable
society.
His teaching and his legacy will not be lost. We salute the Holy
Father with hearts full of sadness, but we know that he is now
in the peace of the Lord."
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