Pope Francis said in a message to
the 150th anniversary celebrations of Rome being proclaimed
Italian capital in 1870 that "the proclamation of Rome as
capital was a providential event, which back then aroused
polemics and problems, but which changed Rome, Italy and the
Church itself, with a new story beginning".
Then pope Pius IX did not recognise Rome and Italian
unification and the Vatican refused to do so until the 1929
Lateran Pacts between Mussolini and the Holy See.
Francis' message to the celebrations was read out by
Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin at the Rome opera
house. where the anniversary was being marked.
Rome Mayor Virginia Raggi said: "Rome is a welcoming and
international city. A city open to all. And it will always be
so.
"Celebrating this anniversary means preparing with enthusiasm
for the next challenges.
"And opening this new phase in this place of culture is the
mots beautiful wish that we make to the city and Italy".
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