A telegram of condolences from the Pope was read during the state funeral for Antonio Fortunato, Matteo Mureddu, Davide Ricchiuto, Roberto Valente, Gian Domenico Pistonami and Massimiliano Randino, the six Italian soldiers killed a few days ago in a suicide attack in Kabul.The ceremony was held this morning at the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls in the presence of thousands of people.
In the papal message signed by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Bertone, the Pontiff wrote that he was “deeply saddened” by the loss of military and civilian lives in Kabul. He said that he felt close to the families of those killed, to the Italian military and the Italian nation.
In it, the Holy Father offered his prayers to Mary Queen of Peace “that God, inexhaustible source of hope and a force for the good, support those who are engaged on a daily basis in building solidarity, reconciliation and peace in the world.
In his homily, Mgr Vincenzo Pelvi, chief military chaplain, emphasised the value of reconciliation that is behind the mission of Italian soldiers in Afghanistan.
“If a state cannot protect its own population from grave and continuous violations of human rights, or from the consequences of humanitarian crisis caused by nature or man, the international community has to intervene, exploring all possible diplomatic ways and paying close attention and encouraging even the least sign of democracy or desire for reconciliation,” he said.
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