The Pope Paul VI Institute of Brescia
has decided to award its prestigious Paul VI International Prize
for the promotion of religious ideas to the President of the
Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella, the institute said
Wednesday.
It said Pope Francis will present Mattarella with the award on
29 May, the day dedicated to the liturgical memory of Saint Paul
VI and shortly before the 60th anniversary of his election to
the Pontificate, on 21 June 1963.
The Paul VI International Prize (Italian: Premio Internazionale
Paolo VI) is a prize founded in 1979 by the Paul VI Institute in
Brescia, and named in honour of Pope Paul VI, who served as head
of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State
from 21 June 1963 to his death in August 1978.
The prize is awarded to individuals or institutions "who, with
their studies and their works, have contributed to the growth of
the religious meaning in the world."
Palermo-born Mattarella, 81, is a practising Catholic and
second longest-serving president behind Giorgio Napolitano.
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