The Charter of Florence delivered to Mattarella
Mattarella with the Carta di Firenze delivered by Bassetti, Nardella and Betori – Ansa
Delivered to the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella there “Charter of Florence”, the final document signed by the bishops and mayors who participated in the “Mediterranean frontier of peace” meeting in the Tuscan capital from 23 to 27 February. A carry at the Quirinale today at 12 the text were the cardinal Gualtiero Bassettiarchbishop of Perugia-Città della Pieve and president of the CEI, the cardinal Giuseppe Betoriarchbishop of Florence e Dario Nardella, mayor of Florence. Following the example of Giorgio La Pira (mayor of Florence and leading figure of Italian Catholicism), the document signed by pastors and first citizens asks the governments of Mediterranean countries to collaborate – civil and religious institutions – to promote the meeting, the confrontation, and initiatives that can raise peace in this basin by making different identities, cultures and religions coexist. Here, then, is the invitation to “governments, mayors and representatives of religious communities to promote educational programs at all levels: a path that integrates anthropological, communicative, cultural, economic, political, generational, interreligious, pedagogical and social to implement a policy new universal solidarity and a more welcoming society “, to strengthen” fraternity, religious freedom in the cities, the defense of the human dignity of migrants and the progress of peace “.
The adhesion of 60 bishops and as many mayors
On February 26, in removing the Charter, to which 60 bishops and as many mayors agreed, Bassetti said: «Today a page is given to history that becomes not only an event, but what a commitment to concretely the future. It is as if history, with a capital S, spoke to us about the past, to reflect on the present with an open perspective on the future “. The next day, Sunday 27, the President of the Republic Mattarella attended the conclusion of the “Mediterranean frontiers of peace” meeting.
“Very friendly meeting”
Returning to yesterday, Betori described the meeting as “very cordial”, adding that “President Mattarella expressed his appreciation for the event organized in our city and for the document that resulted from it, and which we handed to him”. “The actuality of the event, its contents and discussion topics emerged in the face of the tragedy that is unfolding in Ukraine – continued the archbishop of Florence -. There was no lack of references, and the topicality of Giorgio La Pira’s teaching and rhythm gestures that inspired the meeting in Florence was underlined ». The mayor of the Tuscan capital, Nardella, is also satisfied. “Thanks to the energy that the head of state has transmitted to us, we want to continue interviewing all the great leaders of the world on the issues of the Florence declaration in such a dramatic moment as that of the war in Ukraine”.