Giorgio Napolitano, the two time
Italian president who has died at 98, always sought the common
good, Pope Francis said in a message of condolences to his widow
after his death in a Rome clinic Friday.
His death "has aroused in me feelings of emotion and at the same
time of gratitude for this statesman who, in the performance of
his high institutional duties, showed great gifts of intellect
and sincere passion for Italian political life, as well as a
lively interest in the fate of nations", said the Argentine
pontiff.
"I gratefully recall the personal encounters I had with him,'
the Pope recalled in a telegram to his wife Clio Bittoni,
"during which I appreciated his humanity and farsightedness in
taking important decisions with rectitude, especially in
delicate moments for the life of the country, with the constant
intention of promoting unity and concord in a spirit of
solidarity, animated by the search for the common good."
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