Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri had a
meeting lasting almost one hour with Pope Francis on Thursday to
discuss preparations for the Catholic Church's 2025 Jubilee,
sources said.
The mayor illustrated a government decree making it possible to
get going with public works for the event to the pontiff.
Areas around the Vatican are set to be modernised, mobility will
be improved and security systems bolstered, among other things.
Gualtieri then took part in a press conference with Cabinet
Secretary Alfredo Mantovano to present the government's Jubilee
decree.
He said a total of around four billion euros will be spent on
works for the Jubilee when one also accounts for those in a
second decree that is in the pipeline.
"I thank the government for working speedily (on the Jubilee)
after taking office (in October)," Gualtieri said.
"This made it possible for us to present a programme that we are
capable of realizing".
Mantovano said that: "there lots of work to do but I'm quite
confident.
"Despite everything they say and the rows, in the end Rome and
Italy serve up pleasant surprises," he added.
"There were some negative forecasts about the funeral of the
pope emeritus (Benedict XVI) but it took place with order,
without disruption and with approval that went beyond the
national borders.
"I am confident Rome will be at the centre of the world's
attention and will be so in the best possible way".
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