Pope’s message for 150^th Ann. of Italy’s Unification

(March 16, 2011) Christianity made a fundamental contribution to the construction of Italy’s national identity through the work of the Church. This was Pope Benedict XVI’s message for the 150^th anniversary of the Unification of Italy being observed on Thursday. As the Pope is presently making his Lenten retreat , his message was delivered on Wednesday by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarciscio Bertone to Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, during a meeting at the presidential palace. Thanks to the contribution of the Christian faith, said the Papal message, the unification process that took place in Italy during the 19^th century was brought about by the Catholic church’s educational and welfare institutions and also through its Gospel message that marked the cultural and even political identity. The Pope mentioned St. Francis of Assisi and St. Catherine of Sienna who gave a powerful stimulus to the development of Italian political thought. The Pope said the Church’s contribution came through its rich artistic work in sculpture, paintings and music and mentioned famous Italian artists, among them Giotto, Petrach, Micheal Angelo, Caravaggio and several other writers and artists. The contribution of the believers of the Church in the process of formation and consolidation of national identity continues even today in contemporary art, said the Pope’s message. Pope Benedict also mentioned the revision of the Lateran Pact signed February 18, 1984, which marked the transition to a new phase of relations between the Church and the State in Italy. In looking at the long evolution of history, we must recognize that the Italian nation has always felt the burden but at the same time the special privilege of having in the Italian capital the seat of the successor of Peter and therefore the center of Catholicism.
The Papal message concluded with blessings and prayers for the Italian Nation, that it may always be committed to the principles of freedom, justice and peace.