Italy is preparing to bid its final
farewell to four-times ex premier, centre-right leader and media
billionaire Silvio Berlusconi after he died at the age of 86 on
Monday.
The government has proclaimed a day of national mourning to
coincide with the Forza Italia leader's State funeral at Milan
Cathedral on Wednesday.
Italian and European flags are flying at half-mast on public
buildings in Italy and on diplomatic and consular buildings
abroad.
His body will not lie in state in his Mediaset television
studios in Cologno Monzese before the funeral as originally
announced due to public order concerns.
Berlusconi's body is at his Villa San Martino home at Arcore,
near Milan, with only relatives and friends being granted access
to pay their respects
The State funeral will be celebrated by the Archbishop of Milan,
Monsignor Mario Delpini, on Wednesday at 3 pm.
Big screens are being set up in the square outside the cathedral
to enable to public to follow the funeral.
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