Italian President, Sergio Mattarella, made the short trip across Rome to meet with Pope Francis to mark the end of his seven-year term as Italy's president.
-'Thank you for this kind visit.'
-'Thank you very much for the occasion, Holiness.'
The president's daughter and six grandchildren came with him as members of his delegation.
-'What's your name?'
-'Lauro.'
-'How's it going in school?'
The Pope also met members of the President's cabinet and their spouses.
As a gift the President gave Pope Francis a sketch of the Quirinal Presidential Palace in Rome, which used to be occupied by the popes.
In return the Pope gave him his new message of peace for the new year.
-'The message of peace for 2022, signed on December 8th of this year. This is the first copy, it hasn't been published yet. I signed it today for you.'
Before leaving, Pope Francis shared some intimate moments with the President's grandchildren.
-'And what do you all think of this visit that Grandpa has made?'
-'It will be a nice memory.'
-'A nice memory?'
-'It is the third time that we meet, but really it's the first in which we speak directly like this.'
He spoke to them about faith, and asked them to pray for him.
-'Being Catholic without freedom doesn't work. Search freely for God.'
-'This one is the favorite.'
-'And if someone doesn't pray because they are not feeling it, at least send me good vibes. Don't pray against me, that's no good, good vibes. I wish you all the best for your lives, for all of you.'
The Pope then said goodbye to President Matarella's family and told them each to go forward, before extending a warm handshake to the President.
-'Thank you for this moment and your words.'
-'Thank your for your witness.'
-Thank you.'
-'Witness is better.'
These are the last weeks of his term, as the Italian parliament will elect a new president in January. Matarella has served as president of the country since 2015.
JM
