The anniversary comes after Italian police have reopened the murder probe and pressed charges against two Mafia boss-hitmen lifers, Antonino Madonia, 72, and Giuseppe Lucchese, 67, who are alleged to have acted on the orders of late Cosa Nostra boss of bosses Salvatore ‘The Beast’ Riina.
Piersanti Mattarella was gunned down in Palermo at the age of 44 after bravely taking a stand against the then very powerful Sicilia mafia and members of his own party who were suspected of helping it.
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi recalled Mattarella’s “example of commitment and dedication to the common good”.
Reform Minister Elisabetta Casellati underlined his “vision of a politics free from criminal conditioning and its commitment to modern and transparent institutions”.
The day before, Mattarella attended Mass in Caivano’s Parco Verde area after accepting an invitation from an anti-mafia priest in the town near Naples, Don Fabrizio Patriciello.
The head of State said he paid the visit to thank Don Patriciello “for the work he does, to thank him for this magnificent celebration” and give his best wishes to “the community of Caivano, an important community”.
Caivano, which has been dogged by juvenile delinquency and Camorra mafia crime, has benefitted from a major urban regeneration program after the shock teen gang rape of two cousins aged 10 and 12 in July 2023.
“My best wishes are not for the year that has just begun but for the children and young people,” the president said.
“There is hope for them.
“We all feel the need to ensure that children and young people have a future of growth in prosperity, culture and professional engagement.
“And this is my wish for the entire community.”
ANSA
