President Meloni sends best wishes to Pope Francis on the tenth anniversary of his election to the papacy

Holy Father,
I am writing to offer mine and the Italian Government's best wishes on the tenth anniversary of your election to the papacy.
Your Magisterium is an irreplaceable point of reference for Italy, for Europe and for the world. So many of your speeches, tangible actions and symbolic gestures over these years will go down in history. Please allow me to recall one in particular that often comes to my mind: the extraordinary moment of prayer at the Sagrato of St Peter's Basilica on 27 March 2020. The pandemic had turned our lives upside down. Our only feelings at that time were of pain, fear and uncertainty about the future. We were frightened, but the Successor of Peter did not abandon us and chose to draw us close to him. I like to think that, at that moment in time, the square was not deserted and that all of us, with all our worries and our suffering, were actually there in front of you, under the rain. Some with their hands placed together, some on their knees, some with their heads bowed. Despair could have prevailed, but you brought us comfort and reminded us that we were not alone. A powerful and extraordinary message of courage and of hope, that helped us overcome one of the most difficult moments in contemporary history.
Italy and the Italian people look to you for unwavering guidance. The complex international geopolitical situation, the economic crisis, the war in Ukraine - the world war "in pieces" as you often recall - and uncertainties about the future concern citizens and fuel anxiety. However, we know we can count on you and your tireless work and prayers not to lose our way and to always put the pursuit of the common good at the heart of our efforts.

With warmest wishes and affectionate regards,
Giorgia Meloni

[Courtesy translation]