The Pope: ‘There is no freedom without respect for human dignity.’ Mattarella: ‘His closeness to nations inspires confidence in the future’

‘At a historic juncture when the international order is increasingly exposed to dangerous tendencies towards the law of the strongest, Your unceasing closeness to the communities of every state, whether small or large, instils hope and confidence in the future.’ This was written by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, in a message sent to Pope Leo XIV on the occasion of the Pontiff’s visit to San Marino.

Mattarella continued: “Italia looks upon this significant anniversary with great interest. It bears witness to the strength of a bond founded on shared values and on constant dialogue in the service of peace, human dignity and the common good – ideals which also underpin the Italian Constitution.”

The Head of State went on to say: ‘The Republic of San Marino bears in its very name a trace of its deep Christian roots and proudly upholds its ancient institutional traditions. I am certain that Your presence in this country will be a source of the greatest inspiration for the authorities and citizens of Titano, as well as for all men and women of good will, comforted by Your constant reminder, during Your apostolic journeys and visits, to act as builders of peace and to seek harmony amongst peoples. At a historic juncture in which the international order is increasingly exposed to dangerous tendencies towards the law of the strongest, Your unceasing closeness to the communities of every State, whether small or large, instils hope and confidence in the future. With these sentiments, may you accept, Your Holiness, the expressions of my deepest respect and the affection of the entire Italian people’.

Pope Leo XIV speaks of freedom in a republic, San Marino, which has made it its founding value. ‘In the context of the history of a people and a state, it certainly expresses the aspiration to self-determination, to not being dependent on other political authorities. But, at the same time, Libertas means much more than that’, the Pontiff emphasised in his address to the authorities. ‘First and foremost, I wish to emphasise that there is no true civil liberty without personal liberty, that is, without respect for and the promotion of the dignity of the human person, of which liberty is an essential component’.”

For Pope Leo XIV, ‘freedom is realised in giving, in communion, in encounter and in dialogue. At times we are confronted with idolatry that undermines at its very root those political and economic projects which present themselves in the name of freedom, but which are in reality enslaved to idols and power. ‘In the Christian vision, freedom and communion stand or fall together,’ the Pontiff remarked