Rome, Italy, Jul 23, 2022 / 07:00 am
Pope Francis sent birthday greetings to Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Saturday and thanked him for his dedicated service amid "not a few difficulties."
In a personal telegraph sent to the Quirinal Palace on July 23, the pope offered Mattarella his best wishes for the president’s 81st birthday and expressed his “personal esteem” for the leader.
“At this particular juncture, marked by not a few difficulties and crucial choices for the life of the country, you continue to make a fundamental and indispensable contribution with gracious leadership and exemplary dedication,” Pope Francis said.
The pope’s telegram was sent days after Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi resigned following a confidence vote and the collapse of his “unity” coalition in Parliament.