There is the flag of the European Union on the coffin carried from the Capitol to the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli: it is the immediate and tangible sign of the mission and thought of David Sassoli, president of the European Parliament, who died on 11 January. It is a state funeral with the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and the President of the European Council Charles Michel, Prime Minister Mario Draghi and the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, many ministers, not only Italians, including the Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
It is a funeral where humanity prevails. In the moment of the exchange of the sign of peace, which cannot be done in a pandemic, it is beautiful the embrace of family members di Sassoli, his wife Alessandra Vittorini and their children Giulio and Livia.
“Many considered him one of us for that empathetic air, a bit for everyone he was a classmate, the one we all wished for, who would surely have helped us” said the cardinal and archbishop of Bologna in his homily. Matteo Zuppi, a friend of Sassoli since high school. «He was a serene believer, without avoiding doubts. How it should be. We all carry his smile in our hearts, almost shy. Someone said they’ve never seen anyone mad at David. He welcomed the disease with dignity without making it burdensome, living with the strength of his ideals and with the love that surrounded him so much ».
To speak also the children. Giulio listed the fundamental words for his father: “Dignity, of those who have never made anyone weigh the disease, neither now nor years ago. Passion for work and for people’s stories. An ambitious man who has never succumbed to subterfuge. Love is the word you have repeated most often in your last ones. Until the end you talked to us about hope. We will carry on with strong ideas and kind ways. I recommend: Judgment ».
Elizabeth Anzaldo on behalf of all colleagues on Rai Tg1: «The praise of meekness, respect for others and without prejudice. You had all the virtues. You have broken through rubber walls with the tenacity of your gentle firmness, with the strength of prudence ». All the speeches recalled kindness and meekness, but also the commitment to the weak, the choice to open the spaces of the European Parliament to those who did not have a meal, to women in difficulty. “We have a duty to protect the weakest, we are the hope when we don’t build walls”, are some of the last words of the president of the European Parliament quoted during the mass. The cardinal recalled a poem by Father David Maria Turoldo, from which Sassoli took its name: “Nothing and nobody dies and everything lives”.
Last to speak there wife with thanks for all the messages received, but also with the words of Sassoli who already said 15 days ago that he had had a beautiful and complicated life, but was soon dying at 65 with many open projects. «Projects that we will do. Love does not divide, but multiplies ».
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