Mattarella, Meloni, Pope among many to pay respects to Napolitano

(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 24 - President Sergio Mattarella, Premier Giorgia Meloni and Pope Francis were among many institutional representatives and political figures to pay their respects on Sunday to the late two-time former president Giorgio Napolitano, who died in Rome on Friday aged 98.Mattarella arrived at the Senate for the opening of the chapel of rest, where Napolitano will lie in state until Monday afternoon. Meloni arrived soon after, accompanied by Senate Speaker Ignazio La Russa. Other high-profile figures in attendance to pay their respects included European Commissioner for Economic Affairs and former Italian premier Paolo Gentiloni, former European Central Bank president, Bank of Italy chief and premier Mario Draghi, centre-left Democratic Party (Pd) Secretary Elly Schlein and former premier and leader of the opposition Five Star Movement (M5S) Giuseppe Conte. Gentiloni described Napolitano as "extraordinary pro-European who always had the idea that Italy's development and strength would be possible within a European horizon"."His was a great lesson," he said.Pope Francis also made an unexpected visit to Palazzo Madami to pay his respects after the Sunday Angelus prayer and blessing at the Vatican.Inside the chapel of rest he greeted members of Napolitano's family and then paid his respects before the coffin. With his visit, the pope intended "to express, with his presence and prayer, his personal affection to Napolitano and his family, and to honour his great service to Italy," the Vatican said in a statement. "This is the first time a pope has entered the Senate building at Palazzo Madama," La Russa told reporters afterwards. "He came to pay homage to Giorgio Napolitano - and it was a great honour for us," he added. "He was very affectionate." Napolitano's funeral will be celebrated with a non-religious ceremony at the Lower House in Palazzo Montecitorio on Tuesday at 11:30 am local time.  (ANSA).