The day ofGoodbye to Silvio Berlusconi. It was held on Wednesday afternoon at the Milan Cathedral the funeral of the founder of Forza Italia, celebrated by the archbishop of Milan, Mario Delpini. It was a state funeral, as required by law for all former prime ministers, but the government also declared a day of national mourning, not without controversy.
The funeral of Silvio Berlusconi
The coffin of the four-time Prime Minister and founder of Forza Italia arrived in Piazza del Duomo a few minutes before 15 pm, directly from Arcore, where Berlusconi's residence, Villa San Martino, is located. He was greeted by picket of honor outside the Cathedral and come on chants of the fans of Milan who greeted their former president, the one who brought the Rossoneri team to the top of Europe, waving flags and banners.
The applause also continued inside the Cathedral with all the participants in the funeral standing to accompany the coffin escorted by Carabinieri in full uniform towards the high altar, as required by the ceremonial for state funerals.
Immediately after the arrival of the coffin they entered Piazza del Duomo Silvio Berlusconi's children: Marina, Pier Silvio, Barbara, Eleonora and Luigi and their partner Marta Fascina.
The homily of the Archbishop of Milan
“Man is a desire for life, love and happiness”. So the archbishop of Milan, Monsignor Mario Delpini in his homily for the state funeral of Silvio Berlusconi, underway in the Milan cathedral. Precisely on the desire for life "which finds its judgment and its fulfillment in God" Monsignor Delpini concentrated at the beginning of his homily.
“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,” Monsignor Mario Delpini said.
Who was present at Berlusconi's funeral
High state offices, Italian and foreign politicians, entrepreneurs, but also presenters, actors and actresses, football players and coaches. All the souls of Silvio Berlusconi are clearly visible in the audience of over 2.300 participants in the state funeral in the Milan Cathedral, in addition to the 10 people flocked to the Cathedral square.
Present the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, the President of the Council Giorgia Meloni and the entire government. From abroad there is Paolo Gentiloni representing the EU, also present is the Hungarian president Viktor Orban, the president of the European People's Party Manfred Weber, the Iraqi president Abdul Latif Rashid and the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
On the pews of the church too former premiers: Mario Draghi, Mario Monti and Matteo Renzi, many mayors and regional presidents. There were the former dolphin Angelino Alfano and his lifelong friend Gianni Letta, historical allies such as Umberto Bossi. Ministers, representatives of Forza Italia, Pd secretary Elly Schlein. The number one of the 5 Star Movement and former Premier is absent by choice Giuseppe Conte. Not even the former Prime Minister and historical rival Romano Prodi was there, yesterday struck by a very serious mourning.
From the world of entrepreneurship attended Faithful Confalonieri, always right arm of Berlusconi and president of Mfe-Mediaset, Guido Barilla, president of the homonymous group, the managing director of Pirelli Marco Tronchetti Provera, Nerio Alessandri of Technogym, Luigi Ferraris CEO of the State Railways, in addition to the former mayor of Milan and former president of Ubi, Letizia Moratti, the CEO of Mediobanca Alberto Nagel. All the managers of Mediaset, Publitalia and Mondadori were present, including the managing director of the group Antonio Porro, in addition to the former Minister of Economy Giulio Tremonti.
But there are also many TV personalities, from Mediaset and beyond, who have been invited to participate in the celebration. And then of course the world of football, with the entire Monza team, many former Milan players and the coaches who made the history of the Rossoneri club: Massimiliano Allegri, Fabio Capello, Arrigo Sacchi.
Also present were his ex-partner Francesca Pascale and his ex-wife Veronica Lario.
Controversy from Russia: "We weren't invited"
“The memorial service is today in the Milan Cathedral, at 15:00 and then the funeral in Berlusconi's villa near Milan. We still don't know the level of foreign presence at the funeral, but the Russian side was not invited to this ceremony." These are the words of Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov.
