Mattarella: “He marked the history of Italy”. From Meloni to the Pope, the reactions to Berlusconi’s death

From Mattarella to Pope Francis, from Draghi to Meloni up to Prodi, Renzi, and Salvini. Today’s adversaries and those of the past, the allies, have joined in mourning the death of Silvio Berlusconi, paying homage to the leader of Forza Italia.

Pope Francis: “He covered public responsibilities with an energetic temper”

The pontiff sent a telegram of condolences to the family. Bergoglio expressed “heartfelt participation in the mourning for the loss of a protagonist of Italian political life, who covered public responsibilities with an energetic temper”. “His Holiness – underlines the telegram – invokes from the Lord eternal peace for him and heartfelt consolation for those who mourn his departure. I join in the condolences with a fervent remembrance in prayer”.

Mattarella’s message: “Great leader who marked the history of the Republic”

“I learn with deep sadness the news of the death of Silvio Berlusconi, founder and leader of Forza Italia, protagonist of long seasons of Italian politics and republican institutions. Berlusconi was a great political leader who marked the history of our Republic, impacting paradigms, uses and languages. In a season of profound upheavals, his ‘entering the field’, with a newly founded party, obtained such broad consensus that he could immediately compose a majority and a government”, writes the president of the Republic Sergio Mattarella.

“Berlusconi’s leadership helped shape a new geography of Italian politics, allowing him to assume the office of Prime Minister four times. In this capacity he faced events of global significance, such as the crisis opened by the attack on the Twin Towers, the fight against international terrorism and the financial upheavals at the end of the first decade of the new century. He progressively integrated the political movement he founded into the European popular family, favoring continuity in the Atlantic and pro-European direction of our Republic. He was a person gifted with great humanity and a successful entrepreneur, an innovator in his field. He conquered positions of absolute prominence in the television industry and in the media sector, well before his direct commitment in the institutions. He was the architect of important successes in the world of sport Italian”, reads the press release. “I wish to express my condolences and my solidarity to his children, to all his family members, to his party, to those who have been closest to him in life and in the last battle against the disease, fought with courage and exemplary optimism”.

Meloni’s video message: “He was a fighter. One of the most influential men in the history of Italy”

“Silvio Berlusconi was above all a fighter, he was a man who was never afraid to defend his convictions and it was exactly that courage and that determination that made him one of the most influential men in the history of Italy, that allowed him to impress real and own breakthroughs in the world of politics, communication and business”.

Draghi: “He has transformed politics. He has been the absolute protagonist of Italian life for the last 50 years”

“I express my deepest condolences for the death of Silvio Berlusconi, the absolute protagonist of Italian public life of the last fifty years”, says former premier Mario Draghi. “As an entrepreneur he revolutionized the world of communication and sport, with an extraordinary spirit of initiative and innovation. As a leader he transformed politics and was loved by millions of Italians for his humanity and his charisma. To the family, to the employees of his group, to the community of Forza Italia, the deepest condolences “.

Renzi: “He made history in this country”

“Silvio Berlusconi made history in this country. Many loved him, many hated him: today everyone must recognize that his impact on political life but also on economic, sporting and television life was unprecedented. Today Italy mourns together to his family, his loved ones, his companies, his party. My most affectionate and most sincere embrace to all those who loved him. In these hours, I carry with me the memories of our meetings, of the many advices, of our agreements, of our clashes. But above all of a phone call in which Silvio, not the President, made me shed a tear talking about my mother. We will miss you, Pres, may the earth be light on you”.

Prodi: “Deep condolences. Our rivalry has never transcended feelings of enmity”

“I share my deep condolences for the death of Silvio Berlusconi. I remember him as a political leader who, in his long and intense public commitment, exerted a great influence on the life of our country, affecting not only the institutions but also the life of all citizens. In our long political confrontation we have represented different and opposing worlds, but our rivalry has never transcended into feelings of enmity on a personal level, maintaining the confrontation in a context of mutual respect. I appreciated your support for the pro-European cause , above all because it was confirmed and reaffirmed in a period in which our common European destiny was harshly and imprudently accused. I offer my deepest condolences to his family and all his loved ones”.

Schlein: “An era ends with the death of Silvio Berlusconi”

“Faced with the disappearance of Silvio Berlusconi, we want to convey all our closeness to the pain of his family, his loved ones and all of Forza Italia, just as we want it to reach the government and the majority forces. An era ends with the death of Silvio Berlusconi. Everything has divided us and divides us from his political vision, but the respect that humanly owes to the one who was a protagonist in the history of our country remains. Deepest condolences from the Democratic Party.

Salvini: “Great man and great Italian”

“Today a GREAT ITALIAN greets us. One of the greatest ever, in all fields, from all points of view, without equal. But above all today I lose a great friend.
I’m broken and I rarely cry, today is one of those days. I keep as a precious gift the value of your friendship, your advice, your generosity, your respect, your genius, your rare and affectionate reproaches immediately followed by compliments and unique attentions. You have done so much for Italy and for the Italians, you leave a void that is difficult to fill, starting today we will dedicate all our efforts and all our commitment to continue the thousand roads that you first saw and traced. The greatest heritage you leave on this land, which is your splendid family and your loved ones, will be worth a thousand more lives. Safe travels Silvio, my friend”.

Conte: “Brave and passionate. He wrote significant pages in our history”

“Silvio Berlusconi was an entrepreneur and a politician who contributed to writing significant pages of our history in every field in which he ventured”. Thus on social networks the leader of the 5 Star Movement, Giuseppe Conte recalls the Cav. “He has ignited and polarized the public debate perhaps like no other, and even those who have faced him as a political opponent – underlines Conte – must recognize that he has never lacked courage, passion, tenacity. In this moment of profound pain, I hold to send my sincere and respectful condolences and those of the 5 Star Movement to his loved ones and his family”.

Metzola: “A fighter who left his mark. Thanks Silvio”

“Silvio Berlusconi: the fighter who led the center-right and who was the protagonist of politics in Italy and in Europe for generations. Father, entrepreneur, MEP, Prime Minister, senator. He left his mark and will not be forgotten. Thank you Silvio” , the words of the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola.

Dutch Prime Minister Rutte: “Italy is losing a strong personality. A surprising and passionate man”

“With the death of Silvio Berlusconi, Italy has lost a strong personality. He was the first Italian Prime Minister I worked with and I will remember him as an amazing and passionate politician. I conveyed my condolences to Giorgia Meloni on behalf of the Dutch government. Our thoughts are with his family and other loved ones.” Thus the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Twitter.

The condolences of the Anci. Decaro: “An important piece of Italian history is disappearing”

“On behalf of the Italian mayors, of the Anci and myself, I express my condolences to the family of Silvio Berlusconi and to the Forza Italia community. With the death of Silvio Berlusconi, an important piece of the political, economic and institutional history of our country disappears”. said the mayor of Bari, representing the Italian mayors. “Without a doubt, Silvio Berlusconi’s story has crossed the lives of millions of citizens as well as influencing Italy’s political destiny and its international image”.

Weber (EPP): “We will not forget the dedication with which he worked for Italy and Europe”

The president of the European People’s Party and of the EPP group in the European Parliament Manfred Weber is “saddened by the death of Silvio Berlusconi. My thoughts go to his family and loved ones, in this difficult moment. We will not forget – he writes via social network – the “energy and dedication with which he worked for his beloved Italy, for his political family and for his European ideals. Rest in peace”, he concludes by writing the last sentence in Italian.

Gentiloni: “A leader who left a deep mark on Italy disappears”

With Silvio Berlusconi “a leader who left a deep mark on Italy in recent decades disappears. For everyone, today is the time for condolences, for closeness to his family and to the Forza Italia community”. The European Commissioner for the Economy Paolo Gentiloni says it via social media.

Hope: “A piece of history is gone”

“With the death of Silvio Berlusconi, a piece of our country’s history is gone. I express my condolences and closeness to his loved ones and his political community”. Thus the deputy Pd – Democratic and Progressive Italy, Roberto Speranza.