Pope Benedict has sent a message to the President of the Italian Republic, marking
the 150th anniversary of the Unity of Italy, Thursday 17 March.
In the Message,
which Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B. delivered to President Napolitano
during a visit to the Quirinal Palace Wednesday morning, Pope Benedict writes of Christianity's
contribution to building Italian identity "through the efforts of the Church and of
her educational and care institutions, which established rules of behaviour, institutional
structures and social relationships; but also through her vast artistic activity".
In this context he also mentions the influence of saints such as Francis of Assisi
and Catherine of Siena.
"For complex historical, cultural and political reasons,
the Italian 'Risorgimento' has been seen as a movement against the Church, against
Catholicism and sometimes even against religion in general", the Holy Father says.
However he also mentions the contribution to the formation of the unified State made
by Catholic figures such as Gioberti, Rosmini and Manzoni.
Going on then to
refer to the so-called "Roman Question" and "the divisive effects it had on the individual
and collective conscience of Italian Catholics", Pope Benedict nonetheless notes that
"no conflict took place in society, which was marked by a profound friendship between
the civil and ecclesial communities. The national identity of the Italians, so strongly
rooted in Catholic traditions, constituted, in effect, the most solid foundation for
the political unity that had been achieved".
"The fundamental contribution
of Italian Catholics to the republican Constitution of 1947 is well known", Pope Benedict
writes. "This was the starting point for the highly significant involvement of Italian
Catholics in politics, ... and in civil society, offering their fundamental contribution
to the growth of the country, demonstrating their absolute faithfulness to the State
and dedication to the common good, and projecting Italy towards Europe".
"For
her part the Church, thanks also to the broad-ranging freedom she was guaranteed by
the Lateran Pacts of 1929, has continued to make an effective contribution to the
common good through her institutions and activities. ... The conclusion of an agreement
revising the Lateran Pacts, signed on 18 February 1984, marked the move to a new stage
in relations between the Church and the State of Italy. ... The agreement, which contributed
greatly to defining the healthy secularism that characterises the Italian State and
its juridical system, highlighted two overriding principles which must regulate relations
between the Church and the political community: the separation of spheres and collaboration.
... The Church is aware not only of the contribution she makes to civil society for
the common good, but also of what she herself receives from civil society".
"Contemplating
the long course of history", the Pope concludes his Letter, "we must recognise that
the Italian nation has always had a sense of the duty, but at the same time the unique
privilege, arising from the fact that the See of Peter's Successor, and therefore
the centre of Catholicism, is in Italy, in Rome. And the national community has always
responded to this awareness by expressing is affectionate closeness, solidarity and
assistance towards the Apostolic See, so as to foster its freedom and help create
the conditions favourable for the exercise of spiritual ministry in the world by Peter's
Successor, who is Bishop of Rome and Primate of Italy".