Democracy not in good health - Mattarella quoting pope

(ANSA) - ROME, JUL 18 - Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Thursday said democracy isn't enjoying good health in today's world, addressing the Brazilian Centre for International Relations in Rio de Janeiro.
    "This interests and concerns us because the good of mankind is at stake", the president noted, stressing he was quoting the words of Pope Francis, "the first South American pontiff in history".
    "This is a time that requires dialogue and debate.
    "I observe with true satisfaction the great harmony existing between the G7 and G20 presidencies.
    "A marked misalignment between two such important groups for international debate would be an unforgivable mistake full of consequences", the president stressed in Rio.
    "Since I cannot stop on each element of convergence, I desire to stress that Italy looks with great admiration at the work started by the Brazilian presidency to reach the launch of a global alliance against hunger and poverty to mark November's G20 summit.
    "Italy fully supports this initiative and is ready to cooperate at all levels", the president added.
    Mattarella went on to express gratitude to the Brazilian Parliament for setting February 21 as the day of the Italian migrant to commemorate the arrival in Vitória in 1874 of about 100 Italians who had left Genoa on the steamboat La Sofia.
    "The 150th anniversary of Italian migration to Brazil represents a significant moment in the relationship between our countries and moves us to reflect on the indivisibility of human destiny, commemorating this page that marked our identity and our recent history - an experience we are required to treasure, together with out European partners, when we are dealing with the hosting challenge that the current migration phenomenon poses to our societies". (ANSA).