>>>ANSA/Meloni, Mattarella, pope lead Berlusconi tributes

(ANSA) - ROME, JUN 12 - Premier Giorgia Meloni, President Sergio Mattarella and Pope Francis led the tributes to Silvio Berlusconi after the long-dominant figure in Italian politics died on Monday.
    Meloni described the leader of government coalition partner Forza Italia (FI) as one of the most influential figures in the history of Italy.
    "Silvio Berlusconi was above all a fighter, he was a man who was never afraid to stand up for his convictions, and it was exactly that courage and determination that made him one of the most influential men in the history of Italy," said Meloni in a video message, hailing his "real breakthroughs in the world of politics, communication and business". "With him, Italy learned that it never had to have limits imposed on it. It learned that it never had to give up.
    "With him we fought, won, lost many battles. And also for him we will achieve the goals that we set together. Goodbye Silvio," she added.
    Meloni also said the rightwing-centre-right alliance "owe it to Berlusconi not to squabble" now that his moderating influence is no longer there, and recalled his many phone calls, including his last, praising her for the good job she is doing as Italy's first woman premier.
    "I think we owe it to him. I am very proud of the fact that Berlusconi saw another centre-right government, that he contributed to that centre-right government. That too was one of his many great legacies and clearly for us today this is an extra responsibility and not an easy one, because for better or worse he was not only the glue but also the one among us who had the most experience," said Meloni, in an interview with Berlusconi flagship news programme Tg5 to be aired Monday evening, responding to editor Clemente Mimun who asked whether without Berlusconi the centre right will manage not to quarrel.
    She went on: "Having him, being able to talk to him was an element that calmed you in so many things," she told TG5 in an the interview to be aired Monday night.
    "He had been there before and had done well. I'm also very proud of the fact that lately, above all, he often called me and told me 'you're working well'.
    "And it wasn't easy, really, for a man with so much experience.
    And even in the last phone call that we had he told me: 'Listen I want to tell you that I'm very proud of the job you're doing, of how you're doing it'." Mattarella said Berlusconi was "a great political leader who made a mark on the history of our Republic, having an impact on paradigms, customs and language...
    "Berlusconi's leadership contributed to shaping a new political geography in Italy, enabling him to take the role of premier four times," the head of State said.
    "He addressed events of a global scale in this role, such as the crisis caused by the attack on the Twin Tower, the fight against international terrorism and the financial turbulence at the end of the first decade of the new century.
    "He gradually integrated the political movement he founded into the European People's Party family, contributing to continuing the pro-Atlantic alliance, pro-Europe position of our Republic.
    "He was a person equipped with great humanity and a businessman of success, an innovator in his field.
    "He conquered positions of great importance in the television industry and in the media sector well before his direct engagement in the institutions.
    "He was the architect of important success in the world of Italian sport".
    Pope Francis, who is in hospital after abdominal surgery last week, said Berlusconi was an energetic protagonist of political life The Vatican said the pope had sent a telegram of condolences to Berlusconi's family voicing "heartfelt participation in the mourning for the loss of a protagonist of Italian political life, who held public responsibilities with energetic temperament.
    "His Holiness," the telegram stressed, "invokes from the Lord eternal peace for him and consolation of heart for those who mourn his passing. I join in the condolences with fervent remembrance in prayer".
    Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday sent a message of condolence to his Italian counterpart Mattarella, describing the late former premier and billionaire businessman as "a dear person and a true friend".
    Silvio Berlusconi made "an invaluable contribution to the development of the mutually beneficial partnership between Italy and Russia," Putin added. (ANSA).