'My friend Benedict XVI'
Interview with President Napolitano
by Mario Ponzi
Translated from the 7/13/12 issue of
Benedict XVI welcomes and greets him with the warmth that one has for a longtime dear friend. Maestro Daniel Barenboim called him "the architect of the event Wednesday evening, a historic night, at Castel Gandolfo.
He, the President of the Italian Republic, expresses his great satisfaction at bringing closer together two men who are spreading the same message of non-violence and peace.
One, the Pope, with his words that resound in every corner of the earth. The other, Maestro Barenboim, who has been doing the same to the rhythm of a symphony of peace interpreted by young musicians who are Israeli, Palestinian, Syrian, Lebanese, Egyptian, American, German, Spanish and Argentine.
With his innate sincerity, his exceptional openness to dialog about the great as well as small things of life, President Napolitano gladly accepted to speak to us.
Cardinal Ravasi first and then Maestro Barenboim revealed a small secret last night: that you were the inspiration and architect of the evening that goes far beyond their exceptional artistic and cultural value. Could you explain why you so wanted this occasion?
For many years, I have known and have had a relationship of admiration and friendship with Maestro Barenboim. I also got to know his youth orchestra quite well. That is why I was very happy to give to them the Dan David Prize which was given to me on May 15, 2011 [a one-million-dollar prize] to this orchestra to help them consolidate and develop their activity in the world.
I have watched marvelous images of their concerts around the world. I was very struck by a concert they held in Ramallah
[provisional Palestinian 'capital' on the West Bank]: it is incredible how these young people have succeeded to bring together so many diverse young people, how music is able to give what governments and politics have not succeeded to give, namely a sense of peace, of participation, of sharing common values that foster solidarity and spirituality. Values that can truly facilitate the solution to a long-standing and tragic problem such as the relations between Israelis and Palestinians. So I wanted the Pope to be aware of them.
When did you have the idea to bring them together?
Some time ago, I had the chance to speak to him personally about this youth orchestra, of the message they were bringing to the world. The Pontiff immediately grasped this significance and wanted to know more. Then, the great gift - the gift he has given this young people to welcome them to his own home. Even for Maestro Barenboim, this is a great gift. I am profoundly touched by the Pope's highly sensitive gesture.
Where does your obvious harmony with Papa Ratzinger come from?
It has been six years since my mandate [as Italian President]. The seventh and last year began in May. I do not hesitate to say that one of the most beautiful components that chas haracterized my experience as President has been, precisely, the relationship with Benedict XVI.
Together we discovered our great affinity, we have lived together a feeling of great and reciprocal respect. But there is more, something that has touched our hearts. And I am very grateful to him for this.
Today, for instance, our get-together was characterized by simple humanity. We walked together, spoke to each other face to face with a relationship of frank friendship, with all the deference that I have for him and for his most elevated mission.
Of course, the Pope, besides being a head of State, is also and above all, the leader of the universal Church. We feel close to each other if only because we are both called on to govern complex realities. ( find myself leading the institutions of the Italian Republic at a moment that is very, very difficult, It is necessary in this context, to see to it that strong motivations for serenity, peace and moderation must prevail. And I feel very deeply this mission as a moderator. Imagine, therefore, the analogous mission that the Pope has!
And of course, you are united in the ideal of peace...
I believe that the continuous appeals of the Pope for peace are welcomed and shared by so many men around the world. Of course, exhortations to peace, especially in areas like the Middle East, are opposed by a certain 'incanceration' of conflicts and differences. And this always happens when decades and decades pass without finding a solution - something becomes transformed into an incrustation that is very hard to break. Each of us does what we can, and the Pope can do a lot through his inspiration, the constancy of his actions. This, at least, is my hope.
How do you see Benedict XVI's relationship with Italy?
I will never forget the message that he sent us on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Italian unity. I carry it and will always carry it with me as a legacy of my presidency. It was to be expected that we would get a cordial and formal message, but not as committed and engaged as his words in the letter which we did get, which including a historical analysis. This truly demonstrates that in Italy, the State and the Church, the people of the Republic and the people of the Church, are so profoundly and intimately united.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 15/07/2012 01:46]