Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Reuters
Reuters
Politics

Italy pays respect to EU parliament chief Sassoli ahead of state funeral

A picture of late European Parliament President David Sassoli is displayed as his body lies in state at the Campidoglio (Capitoline Hill) in Rome, Italy, January 13, 2022. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane

Italian politicians joined ordinary citizens on Thursday to pay their respects to European Parliament President David Sassoli, who died this week and whose coffin was placed in Rome's town hall ahead of a state funeral.

Hundreds of people queued patiently on a brisk winter's day to enter the hall where Sassoli's wooden coffin was laid out, surrounded by floral wreaths.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Mario Draghi were among the first to pay homage to Sassoli, who died in a cancer clinic in north-eastern on Italy on Tuesday aged 65.

People pay their respects as the body of late European Parliament President David Sassoli lies in state at the Campidoglio (Capitoline Hill) in Rome, Italy, January 13, 2022. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane

"I am here because David Sassoli represents good politics, the human face of Europe," said Rome resident Donatina Persichetti. "He was one of us and that is why we loved him and why his death hurts us so much."

Sassoli spent weeks in hospital after contracting pneumonia last September and had to return to hospital in December after suffering complications related to his immune system.

He had been president of the 705-seat EU parliament since July 2019 and his term in the predominantly ceremonial role had been due to end this month.

The casket of late European Parliament President David Sassoli arrives at the Campidoglio (Capitoline Hill) where he will lie in state, in Rome, Italy, January 13, 2022. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane

His funeral will be held on Friday at Rome's Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and of the Martyrs. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel are both expected to attend the service.

(Reporting by Antonio Denti; Writing by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)

President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies Roberto Fico and Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri pay their respects as the body of late European Parliament President David Sassoli lies in state at the Campidoglio (Capitoline Hill) in Rome, Italy, January 13, 2022. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
People queue to pay their respects as the body of late European Parliament President David Sassoli lies in state at the Campidoglio (Capitoline Hill) in Rome, Italy, January 13, 2022. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.