Death of Former Italian President Giorgio Napolitano

Former Italian President Giorgio Napolitano passed away today, Friday, at the age of 98. Napolitano, a former communist, led the country during a debt crisis in 2011. Condolences poured in from the office of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, other politicians, the Vatican, and from outside Italy. Pope Francis wrote in a telegram of condolence to Napolitano's wife, Clio Petroni, "I remember with gratitude my personal meetings with him, during which I appreciated his humanity and insight in making decisions with integrity, especially during sensitive times in the country's history." Napolitano became president in 2006 and was re-elected in 2013 for an unprecedented second term of seven years. He resigned from his position in 2015, citing his advancing age.