Pope France on Monday presented
Italian President Sergio Mattarella with the prestigious Paul VI
International Prize.
"I am pleased, Mr President, to be an instrument of recognition
in the name of those, young and not so young, who see you as a
maestro," the pope said.
"A simple maestro and, above all, a coherent, courteous example
of service and responsibility".
The pope spoke of Mattarella's commitment to the fight for law
and order and mentioned his late brother Piersanti Mattarella,
the Sicilian governor who was murdered by the mafia in 1980, and
other martyrs to the fight against organized crime.
Mattarella said that he would donate the prize money to a
community working for the disabled, the homeless and other
vulnerable groups whose facilities in Emilia Romagna have been
damaged by this month's deadly floods there.
He said the money would go to the John XXIII community, which
was founded in the northeastern region and runs care homes,
clinics and soup kitchens.
The Paul VI International Prize (Premio Internazionale Paolo VI)
is an award founded in 1979 by the Paul VI Institute in Brescia,
and named in honour of Pope Paul VI, who served as head of the
Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 21
June 1963 to his death in August 1978.
The prize is awarded to individuals or institutions "who, with
their studies and their works, have contributed to the growth of
the religious meaning in the world."
Palermo-born Mattarella, 81, is a practising Catholic and second
longest-serving president behind Giorgio Napolitano.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
