Italy stops for a last farewell to Silvio Berlusconi . The funeral took place starting at 3 pm in the Milan Cathedral .
The archbishop of Milan, Mario Delpini, officiated at the funeral.
In the front row in the church Marta Fascina together with the Cav's five children, in the second row Veronica Lario with her grandchildren . Cav's partner appeared visibly moved, in tears as well as her daughter Marina.
Always in the front row, among the highest offices, President Sergio Mattarella next to the Emir of Qatar Al Thani and the President of Iraq Abdul Latif Rashid. A little further on, still in the front row, the prime minister Giorgia Meloni sits between the president of the Constitutional Court Silvana Sciarra and the president of the Chamber Lorenzo Fontana. At his side, the president of the Senate Ignazio La Russa.
From the second to the fourth row, all government ministers. Then the foreign ministers of Kosovo, Malta, Turkey, Tunisia, Armenia, Serbia and the Netherlands. In the third row, former prime minister Mario Monti together with the other former prime ministers Matteo Renzi, Mario Draghi and Paolo Gentiloni.
After the Mass, with the brief homily of Archbishop Delpini, the Cav's coffin gathered the embrace of Piazza Duomo and, amidst choirs and applause, returned to Villa San Martino in Arcore.
THE HOMILY
« Live and resist, don't let yourself be discouraged, believe that there is always a way out even in the darkest valley. Live and suffer the decline, but keep smiling ». Thus the archbishop of Milan Delpini in his homily for Silvio Berlusconi. "To love and to desire to be loved forever, and to experience the disappointments of love and to hope there may be a way to an even higher love," continued the archbishop of Milan.
Again: «Silvio Berlusconi was certainly a politician, he was certainly a businessman, he was certainly a figure in the limelight of fame. But in this moment of farewell and prayer, what can we say about Silvio Berlusconi? It was a man: a desire for life, a desire for love, a desire for joy. And now we celebrate the mystery of fulfillment. Here's what I can say about Silvio Berlusconi. He is a man and now he meets God ».
BERLUSCONI WILL BE CREMED
Silvio Berlusconi's body will be cremated in the Panta Rei Valencian Crematorium Temple , in the province of Alessandria. After the state funeral, the coffin should be brought back to the family chapel in Arcore, where the funerals of mother Rosa and her sister Maria Antonietta were celebrated and where a first mass was celebrated yesterday. The chapel contains the ashes of Berlusconi's parents and sister.
Chronicle of the day:
17.05 – The coffin has arrived at Villa San Martino, welcomed with applause
The hearse with Silvio Berlusconi's coffin returned to Villa San Martino after the funeral in the Milan Cathedral. Those present greeted him with applause. Between tomorrow and the day after tomorrow he will be cremated in Valencia.
5 pm – Solinas: «A figure who will be missed»
«An immense, affectionate embrace of the people, a people who loved him as rarely happens. With Silvio Berlusconi a piece of history of this country has gone but his vitality, generosity, foresight and his intuition, not only political, remain a strong lesson for all the men and women who today greeted him for the last time. I remembered, moved, the many moments spent together, the many manifestations of his affection and closeness. Silvio Berlusconi was a great friend of Sardinia and of the Sardinian people, towards whom he always had feelings of profound respect and admiration. The indelible mark of his action is imprinted in the social, economic and political changes in Italy that he himself has accompanied towards change. His disappearance leaves a great void but his example remains alive». Thus the President of the Region, Christian Solinas, who today attended the funeral of Silvio Berlusconi in the Milan Cathedral.
4.55 pm – The coffin is returning to Villa San Martino
Silvio Berlusconi's coffin is returning to Villa San Martino in Arcore, in the province of Monza. The former prime minister will then be cremated in the Panta Rei crematorium in Valenza Po, as was the case for his parents, Rosa and Luigi, and his sister Maria Antonietta, whose urns are now kept in the chapel of Villa San Martino.
16.25 - The funeral procession has started
Silvio Berlusconi's funeral procession has started. Behind the hearse slowly advance the family members and many of the participants in the State Funeral.
4.20 pm – The "thank you" of the children to the crowd in Piazza Duomo
Marta Fascina caresses Silvio Berlusconi's coffin in tears. Then he bends down and kisses her. Shortly after all of Berlusconi's children caress the coffin. Marina shakes her head in disbelief. All the Cav's children thank those present in the square.
4.10 pm – The coffin welcomed by applause and choirs in Piazza Duomo, at the exit from the church
"A president, there is only one president", "Berlusconi one of us": applause, choirs and flags waving in Piazza Duomo at the exit of the coffin.
4.05 pm – Mass over, the coffin leaves the Cathedral
The funeral Mass concluded with the Eucharistic blessing.
Silvio Berlusconi's coffin was carried out of the cathedral to the applause of the people who attended the funeral.
4 pm – The notes of silence resound in the Milan Cathedral
At the end of the ceremony in the Milan Cathedral, the notes of silence, accompanied at the end by a very long applause, inside and outside the church.
3.55 pm – Three people taken ill in the square
Three people were rescued by 118 health workers in Piazza Duomo during Berlusconi's funeral. The doctors themselves report it, explaining that it was hypotension due to the heat. The many who had brought the umbrella for the rain have in fact transformed it into a parasol to protect themselves from the heat.
3.50 pm – For Marta Fascina tears and a gaze fixed on the coffin
Marta Fascina cries while staring at Silvio Berlusconi's coffin during the funeral of her partner in the Milan cathedral. The cameras often linger on his face. Next to him is the eldest daughter of the former prime minister, Marina. At the moment of exchanging the sign of peace, the children Pier Silvio and Barbara hugged each other quickly.
3.40 pm – Applause at the end of the homily
«Silvio Berlusconi was a man and now he meets God»: the end of the homily for Silvio Berlusconi delivered by the archbishop of Milan Mario Delpini in the Cathedral where the Knight's funeral is taking place, was greeted by those present with applause.
3.35 pm – Delpini: «A desire for life, love and joy»
«Silvio Berlusconi was certainly a politician, he was certainly a businessman, he was certainly a character in the limelight of fame. But in this moment of farewell and prayer, what can we say about Silvio Berlusconi? It was a man: a desire for life, a desire for love, a desire for joy. And now we celebrate the mystery of fulfillment. Here's what I can say about Silvio Berlusconi. He is a man and now he meets God», the words of Delpini.
3.30 pm – Delpini's homily: «He loved and wanted to be loved»
«Live and resist, don't let yourself be discouraged, believe that there is always a way out even in the darkest valley. To live and suffer the decline, but to keep smiling». Thus the archbishop of Milan Delpini in his homily for Silvio Berlusconi. "To love and to desire to be loved forever, and to experience the disappointments of love and to hope there may be a way to an even higher love," continued the archbishop of Milan.
3.15 pm – Off to the ceremony, the tears of Marina and Marta Fascina
Emotion envelops Silvio Berlusconi's family as soon as the former premier's coffin arrives in front of the altar in Milan's cathedral. In tears, the eldest daughter Marina, her partner Marta Fascina and her son Pier Silvio who, before sitting down, embraced Maria De Filippi. Barbara and Pier Silvio shook hands for a moment.
15.05 – The coffin enters the church, applause and emotion
From the square, the applause for Silvio Berlusconi enters the Milan Cathedral. The coffin pauses briefly at the entrance as the entire assembly rises and the organ plays. Someone shoots videos with their cell phone. Behind the coffin, the family members. Paolo Berlusconi appears visibly moved. Antonio Tajani does not hold back the tears.
2.55 pm – The coffin arrived in Piazza Duomo
The hearse with the coffin of Silvio Berlusconi arrived in Piazza Duomo greeted by applause and choirs.
2.45 pm – Sergio Mattarella and Giorgia Meloni also arrived
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has arrived at the Milan Cathedral where she will attend the funeral of Silvio Berlusconi. Before taking his seat, he shook hands with Umberto Bossi.
The President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella arrived almost together, taking a seat in the front row.
2.30 pm – The arrival of Orban
Even the Hungarian premier Viktor Orban has arrived in the Cathedral.
2.30 pm – Briatore: «He was a friend, I'm very sad»
"He was a friend, I'm very sad" said Flavio Briatore as he arrived at the funeral of Silvio Berlusconi in the Duomo in Milan.
2.20 pm The hearse with the coffin left Arcore
The hearse carrying Silvio Berlusconi's coffin left from Villa San Martino. The car has passed through the gates of the former prime minister's residence in Arcore. On the road, several citizens greet the passage of the hearse along the avenue of Arcore which surrounds the villa. There are also some banners. Among the many, one in the hands of a child reads: "allow me, thank you".
2.15 pm Briatore arrived in the Cathedral
Entrepreneur Flavio Briatore has arrived at the Milan Cathedral where he will attend the funeral of FI leader Silvio Berlusconi. Also in the Church are Milan players Zvonimir Boban Demetrio Albertini and Franco Baresi. Also present was the former coach of Milan Arrigo Sacchi. Maria De Filippi has also arrived, she chats with Silvia Toffanin, presenter and companion of Pier Silvio Berlusconi.
14.10 – Salvini arrived with his girlfriend and son
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini arrived at the Milan cathedral for the funeral of Silvio Berlusconi. The leader of the League is accompanied by his girlfriend Francesca Verdini and his son Federico.
At the same time the arrival of EU commissioner Paolo Gentiloni.
2.00 pm – Bossi in the Duomo: «Silvio loved the beautiful, the good and the right»
The leader of the Lega Umberto Bossi, accompanied by his son Renzo, arrived at the Milan Cathedral for the funeral of Silvio Berlusconi. "It was different from how it was described - the Senatur said as he got out of the car - his principles were the beautiful, the good and the right".
1.50 pm – Zhang, Marotta Lotito and De Laurentiis in the Duomo
Inter president Steven Zhang and the administrator of the Nerazzurri club Giuseppe Marotta have just arrived in Piazza Duomo in Milan for the funeral of Silvio Berlusconi. The president of Napoli Aurelio De Laurentiis and the president of Lazio Claudio Lotito also arrived together in the cathedral.
Shortly after the arrival of Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia: «It was a duty to be here, he was a friend and an exceptional person, the first to make an effort to bring the Savoys back to Italy».
1.40 pm In the square with the "I'm not in mourning" shirt, kicked out
A lady from Milan arrived in Piazza Duomo for Silvio Berlusconi's funeral wearing a shirt with the words 'I am not in mourning'. "Why? – Silvia explained – there is so much to say… We all know what was behind him and how he made his first fortunes. He's a criminal. I heard too many things that weren't true, I did it for my kids. They have decided for a state funeral and for national mourning, not reserved for those who gave their lives for legality... The sanctification of these days is false, a strain on the reality of things. That's why I decided to participate in the only way I can express myself, in a peaceful and silent way». Moments of tension with those present who surrounded the lady asking her to go home: "We have to stop these divisions," shouted a gentleman. "At least have respect for death and for the family, go away," added another lady. «That's enough - concluded another person - you have been throwing hatred for 30 years. Buffona, you're just looking for visibility».
1.35 pm – Francesca Pascale arrived
The former girlfriend of Silvio Berlusconi Francesca Pascale has arrived in the Cathedral for the funeral of Silvio Berlusconi. Very moved and with dark glasses, Francesca Pascale did not want to make statements: "I apologize, this is not the time".
1.25 pm – At Berlusconi's funeral also ex-wife Veronica Lario
Veronica Lario will also be there at the funeral of Silvio Berlusconi at 3 pm at the Milan Cathedral. On the right side of the aisle the family will sit. The companion Marta Fascina and then to follow the five children and the brother of the Knight, Paolo Berlusconi. In the row immediately behind will be Veronica Lario indicated with the surname Bartolini. Next to her Paolo Beretta, Silvio Beretta and Federica Fumagalli. On the left side, the Head of State will sit in first place, then the Iraqi president, the Emir of Qatar, the two captains regent of San Marino, or the heads of state present at the funeral. Followed by the leaders of the Chamber and Senate, Ignazio La Russa, Lorenzo Fontana. Then the premier Giorgia Meloni, the president of the constitutional court Silvana Sciarra, the president of Lombardy Attilio Fontana, the mayor of Milan Giuseppe Sala and the prefect of the city Saccone. In the ranks immediately behind the heads of government Orban and the Albanian one. Then foreign delegations from many other countries including Gentiloni to represent the European Commission.
1 pm – Applause and choruses from the crowd in Piazza Duomo: «Silvio, Silvio»
There are still just under two and a half hours left before the state funeral of Silvio Berlusconi but citizens who want to follow the funeral of the ex prime minister are already crowding in Piazza Duomo in front of the big screens. For Berlusconi there have already been several applauses and choruses that mark his name: "Silvio, Silvio".
12.50 – A hundred people waiting in Arcore for the transfer of the coffin
There is expectation outside Villa San Martino, in Arcore, where the hearse with Silvio Berlusconi's coffin will leave shortly. About a hundred people, including onlookers and supporters, are positioned beyond the barriers along the driveway to witness the moment in which the vehicle will leave the residence.
12.40 – In the Cathedral flowers from Belen, Lapo, La Russa and Rai
Flower wreaths continue to arrive for Silvio Berlusconi in Piazza Duomo, such as the one delivered by TV presenter Belen Rodriguez. Flowers also from the president of the Senate Ignazio La Russa, from Lapo Elkann and his wife Joana Lemos, from the mayor of Naples Gaetano Manfredi, from Milan Club Parigi, from the president of Lega Serie B Mauro Balata, from the Ghedini family, from As Roma, from Rai and by the residents of Milan 2.
12.15 – The Sardinian who met the Knight: «We need many like him»
Piazza Duomo begins to fill up with onlookers and supporters of Silvio Berlusconi awaiting the funeral scheduled for 3pm. The most present at the moment are Milan fans, many of whom have come from far away. “A president like him? Let's see... – comments a gentleman literally covered in Rossoneri flags – I started going to the stadium with Rivera, I lived in Serie B. Many things have changed today». There are also many Sardinians such as Alessandro, a photographer-cameraman from Sardinia who has worked over the years for Monza Calcio, knowing the Cavaliere in person: «There would be a need for many creatives like him. He had the wonderful idea of building infrastructure, modernizing the railways and cities. But they didn't allow it, otherwise he would have governed for another 30 years. Communists are the worst in the world, other than Berlusconi».
12 noon – The square has been divided in two
The square was divided in two. Before the fence for the press, two giant screens have been positioned, to the left and to the right of the Cathedral. Two other smaller ones, always on the sides of the square, are positioned on two vans. “In a word? Berlusconi is history», says a Brianza. «He embodied the Italian dream», adds a man from Bergamo.
11.40 am - The body will be cremated in Alexandria
Silvio Berlusconi's body will be cremated in the Panta Rei Valencian Crematorium Temple, in the province of Alessandria. After the state funeral today in the Cathedral, the coffin should be brought back to the family chapel in Arcore, where the funerals of mother Rosa and her sister Maria Antonietta were celebrated and where a first mass was celebrated yesterday. The chapel contains the ashes of Berlusconi's parents and sister.
11.20 am – Big screens installed
Piazza Duomo is already filling up where the giant screens have been set up that will allow citizens to attend the funeral. The coffin will enter from the south side of the Cathedral after a 5-10 minute stop in the churchyard. The entrance of the authorities is also foreseen from the side of the church. The family will be placed on the benches on the right, the authorities on the left.
10.20 am – The hearse at Villa San Martino
The hearse has arrived at the former prime minister's residence. The body had been transferred to Arcore from the San Raffaele hospital, where the former prime minister died last Monday.
9.40 am – About fifteen wreaths of flowers in the churchyard
About fifteen wreaths of flowers were left in the churchyard in front of the Cathedral. In addition to the crown of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, those of the Senato Forza Italia group, one of the Brothers of Italy and one of the Italian Socialist Party made up of red carnations were also deposed. There are also flowers from the Italian Senator Licia Ronzulli, from the Municipality of Rome, from the Abruzzo Region, from the Israeli Embassy and from the Kuwait Consulate General. The square is divided in half by barriers. Behind the corridor for the press, many onlookers are gathering, some wearing Milan and Monza shirts. Three boys displayed a banner that read "Italy is the country I love", a quote from Berlusconi's 1994 speech on the field.
(Unioneonline/vl)
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