The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, sent the following message to His Holiness Pope Francis:
«Your Holiness,
Allow me to gratefully thank you on behalf of myself and of the Italian Republic for your message “Forgive us our trespasses: grant us your peace”. The analysis you perform on this 58th World Day of Peace questions the conscience of every man and woman of good will. Everybody – Heads of State and Government, leaders of International Organizations, civil and religious authorities – are called to face up to the wounds of the world; the worrying social and economic fragmentation; the proliferation of threats to the peaceful development of relations between States.
It is the rule-based international order recognized to be valid for all that is now at risk due to the dangerous initiatives taken by State and non-State actors. It is the Rule of Law, the bulwark of coexistence between peoples and Countries, that is being violated. It is – increasingly often – the dignity of human individuals that is disfigured.
At the outset of the Jubilee Year that has just opened, the theme chosen for the message conveniently highlights the need for a cultural change to enable us all to recognize that we are all “debtors” and therefore mutually in need of one another. This acknowledgment would be sufficient to induce us – more logically, wisely and farsightedly – to seek to stimulate solidarity while we see how violence, exploitation, and disparity overshadow the prospects of millions of people in all the continents of the world.
For 2025 to be, according to your wishes, a year of “growing peace”, Your Holiness suggests taking urgent and courageous acts. It is up to every one of us – individually and in our social context of reference – to heed the plea to believe in dialogue and peace and to do more to effectively manage the structural phenomenon of migration, environmental degradation, and the risks and opportunities linked to new technologies. These are all themes that involve the future of humankind and on which your High Magisterium focuses utmost attention.
Italy, whose Constitution’s founding principles are the rejection of war, the refusal of the death penalty, the recognition of fundamental rights and freedoms, and the pursuit of peace and justice among Nations, will only be capable of contributing to foster the peaceful settlement of ongoing conflicts and to outline equitable and sustainable growth patterns, with a special focus on younger generations. Indeed, without them the very exercise of hope would be an illusion.
I am certain, Your Holiness, that all Italians will join me inthe pleasure of conveying to you our most sincere wishes for your personal and spiritual wellbeing and for continuing the work that you so fruitfully perform at the service of the Catholic Church and of Humankind».
