Pope offers condolences and prayers for Silvio Berlusconi

Silvio Berlusconi - Image: Vatican Media

Source: Vatican News

Pope Francis has offered his condolences and prayers for Silvio Berlusconi, Italy's longest-serving Premiere, who died today, at the age of 86.

In a message sent on the Pope's behalf by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to the former Italian Prime Minister's daughter, Maria Elvira Berlusconi, in Milan, the Pope mourned the late Italian politician.

The Pope's message begins: "Pope Francis, having been informed of the death of your beloved father, Senator Silvio Berlusconi, wishes to extend his closeness to you and your family, assuring you of his heartfelt participation in the mourning for the loss of a protagonist of Italian political life, who held public responsibilities with energetic temperament."

"His Holiness invokes, from the Lord, eternal peace for him, and consolation of heart for those who mourn his passing."

According to Associated Press, Berlusconi was admitted to the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan on Friday, his second recent hospitalization for treatment of chronic leukaemia. He also suffered over the years from heart ailments, prostate cancer and was hospitalized for Covid-19 in 2020.

The Archdiocese of Milan has announced that a state funeral will be held on Wednesday, in the Duomo cathedral.