A large tricolor wreath sent by the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, and one by the Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, arrived in the church of San Giovanni in Monte, in Bologna , for the funeral of Flavia Franzoni Prodi .
Romano Prodi's wife died suddenly while walking a Franciscan path in Umbria with her husband and some friends .
The light wooden coffin was taken to the parish church of the Prodi family this morning around 8.15 and immediately many friends, colleagues and ordinary citizens went to pay their last respects.
Around 9 the professor also arrived on foot, accompanied by the former secretary of the Democratic Party, Enrico Letta, his eldest son Giorgio and his grandchildren .
Italia Viva, the Democratic Party, the University of Bologna and the economist Franco Debenedetti, present at the funeral home, also sent wreaths of flowers to pay homage to the wife of Professor Romano Prodi.
During the morning, the former leader of the Democratic Party, Walter Veltroni, also arrived in the parish church of San Giovanni in Monte, accompanied by the banker Mario Moretti and Alessandro Profumo. Also present were former ministers Patrizio Bianchi, Giulio Santagata, Pierluigi Castagnetti, who praised Flavia Prodi, recalling her as "a normal lady" and recalled the episode in which the former prime minister's wife "entered Palazzo Chigi with the bags of the expense, which no one will forget.
The journalist Marco Damilano, the actor Alessando Bergonzoni and Gad Lerner also arrived. Senator Pierferdinando Casini, who underlined how Prodi and his wife were «an extraordinary couple, who reconcile with everything that is marriage and love». Also moved is the memory of Don Luigi Ciotti who recalled Flavia Prodi as a "very simple and humble" woman.
Among others, former premiers Mario Monti and Massimo D'Alema, who spoke of "dismay at such a sudden disappearance of a person who represented, beyond his relationship with Romano, a point of reference for the community".
THE CEREMONY – The funeral, officiated by the president of the CEI, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi , starting at 11.30, in the name of simplicity following the indications of the Prodi family. On the altar, the reading of the Gospel passage of the day, Matthew 11, 25-30 and Psalm 44. For the holy card, however, the family members chose a smiling image of Flavia Franzoni Prodi, accompanied by the verse from Proverbs 31, 10 -11 which reads: " Who will find a virtuous woman?" Its value far surpasses that of pearls. Her husband's heart trusts in her, and he will never lack provisions .'
THE POPE'S LETTER - For Romano Prodi also a letter from Pope Francis : "May faith in Christ, our Hope - writes the Pontiff - support you in living this moment of pain". In the text, Francesco calls Prodi "dear brother" and also mentions his sons Giorgio and Antonio. "I am convinced - adds Bergoglio - that after more than 50 years of marriage you will be able to take on Flavia's legacy of faith and fortitude by continuing to bear witness, in her vivid memory, to the beauty of the bond of love that kept you together, hand in hand hand until the last walk together. In expressing my affection to you and invoking the protection of the Holy Virgin, I cordially bless you and all those who mourn the disappearance of Flavia». "Fraternally, Francis", concludes the Pope.
(Unioneonline/vl)
