Jubilee: Meloni opens renovated Piazza Pia near Vatican

(ANSA) - ROME, DEC 23 - Premier Giorgia Meloni expressed satisfaction on Monday as she inaugurated one of the flagship projects for the 2025 Jubilee of the Catholic Church, the renovation and pedestrianization of Piazza Pia, a square by the River Tiber in front the Mausoleum of Hadrian and a stone's throw from St Peter's Square.
    "If we are able to inaugurate this project today, it is in part thanks to the method that this government has used from the very beginning, setting up a taskforce at premier's office with all the entities involved, a body capable of tackling obstacles and difficulties in real time," Meloni said.
    She added that the "Jubilee method reminds us that things can be done well and quickly in Italy, that the public administration can surprise us when it wants to" Deputy Premier and Transport and Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini was pleased too.
    "I have seen Italian and foreign young people working together here - that's the beauty of true integration," League leader Salvini said.
    "It is a response to those who would like nothing to be done in Italy.
    "It is an example of how, if social, political and trade union forces row in the same direction, Italy is second to no one.
    "We have the best workers and engineers.
    "The important thing is that there is no one seeking to stop the future.
    "My thoughts go out to those fathers and mothers, who in (safety) helmets and vests, are working to make the country more beautiful and faster".
    Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri said that, "few believed" in the project but, despite this, "we did it" "The Jubilee has given Rome a beautiful new square, (in a project) that required the utmost commitment and cooperation, which allowed us to overcome the unforeseen events," Gualtieri said. (ANSA).