The message comes in the added context of Francis continuing to recover from double pneumonia.

“Together with me, the Italian people are grateful to you for these 12 years in which you have offered the most authentic testimony of evangelical values, in constant service not only to the Catholic Church, but to all of humanity,” Mattarella said.

“[At various intergovernmental forums], your holiness brought a vibrant call to the rediscovery of hope, to the setting aside of the logic of force and abuse, to the call for renewal by an ethical use of new technologies.

“At a time when at the international level [respect for international] law and [a peaceful] coexistence between States seem to be weakening, your voice is, and remains, more necessary than ever...

“In this spirit, Holy Father, I renew my sincere wishes for every well-being … [and] a speedy recovery.”

ANSA