October 30, 2024
Two days before the funeral mass for Aldo Moro in San Giovanni in Laterano, which was not attended by the family of the DC President assassinated by the Red Brigades but only by the institutional actors, a self-styled member of the Red Brigades telephoned the director of the “Osservatore Romano” to announce an attack during the function. Despite this climate of tension and threat, Paul VI still decided to attend, and gave up the helicopter that the Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti had made available to him to strengthen his protection. In the months immediately preceding his death, John Paul II, although weakened by illness, made a very intense commitment to the inclusion of Christian roots in the European Constitution (which never saw the light). Through a “high Italian political figure”, the Pope who later became a Saint delivered a letter in this regard to Valéry Giscard d’Estaign, president of the European Convention who was working on the text. “He can keep it in his pocket,” the French politician said contemptuously to the mediator, and when John Paul II found out, he was distressed. Anecdotes, analyzes and historical passages. There is all this in “Secret Line. The background between the State and the Vatican”, essay by Antonio Preziosi published by San Paolo editions (318 pages, 20 euros).
A volume that spans almost eighty years of relations between Italy and the Holy See, from Alcide De Gasperi to Giorgia Meloni. Passing through the Presidents of the Republic. Preziosi, director of Tg2, consultant of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications, scholar of religious and Vatican issues (author of essays such as “The Pope Had to Die”, on the attack on John Paul II and “The Smile of the Pope”, on John Paul I) tackles this historical journey with the scruple of research and the clarity of journalistic prose. Certainly not an easy task, considering the harshness of history which takes us back to numerous moments of transition in the relations between State and Church. Here are some. The referendum to repeal divorce on 12 May 1974, defined by Preziosi as an “earthquake”, saw the victory of the no over the yes votes by 60 and 40. A peremptory outcome, preceded by a very harsh referendum campaign which had opened internal fronts even within the Church itself ( in this regard, the withdrawal of the diocesan assistant from the Fuci of Venice is remembered because both he and the youth community, through a document, had taken a position in favor of the secularity of the State). Well, that victory of the no signaled a moment of great coldness between the Holy See and the Christian Democrats, with a conference promoted by the Vicariate of Rome which turned into a sort of indictment for the Christian Democratic ruling class. The institutional party, having overcome the other moment of dramatic historical fracture sanctioned by the kidnapping and killing of Aldo Moro, remained on this side of the Tiber until 1992. There, the end of the political unity of Catholics was marked. The Berlusconi era begins. “From the Vatican”, writes Preziosi, “we are looking at the situation with a certain silent expectation”. Scrolling through the pages of that phase, we come across the story recently told by Cardinal Camillo Ruini to Corriere della Sera of the proposal made by the then Head of State Oscar Luigi Scalfaro (to Ruini himself, to Cardinal Sodano and to Monsignor Tauran) for the involvement of the Saint Place to bring down the first Berlusconi Executive. A proposal that was clearly rejected by the cardinals.
Berlusconi’s government spans two pontificates, that of John Paul II and Benedict XVI. With Gianni Letta he was responsible for creating the connection between the two banks of the Tiber. And complex terrains in which dialogue between the government and the Holy See has taken place. From the second war in Iraq to ethical issues such as the complicated institutional tug-of-war (within Italy) over the Englaro case and the referendum on Law 40, a consultation which saw a stand between the Berlusconi government and the CEI of the time. We also find a similar virtuosity of comparison between Pope Francis and Giorgia Meloni. It has been evident since the government took office. The formation of the Executive, Preziosi analyses, sees the presence of two important Catholic exponents, such as the Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and the Undersecretary to the Presidency of the Council Alfredo Mantovano. The Pontiff, speaking from Bahrain a few days after the government was sworn in, shared a reflection that sounded like an appeal to the opposition forces to exercise their role with responsibility and without prejudice. A subsequent note from Palazzo Chigi defined the Pontiff’s words as “a perennial reminder to wisdom and charity”. A dialogue that has never failed, and which would have reached its peak (for the moment) with the Pontiff’s participation in the G7 last July.
#book #Tempo
**Interview with Antonio Preziosi, Author of “Secret Line: The Background Between the State and the Vatican”**
**Editor**: Antonio, thank you for joining us today to discuss your new book, “Secret Line.” It’s intriguing to see how the historical relationship between Italy and the Holy See has evolved. Can you share what inspired you to write this volume?
**Antonio Preziosi**: Thank you for having me. My background in journalism and my role as a consultant for the Pontifical Council for Social Communications led me to delve deeply into the intricacies of Church-State relations in Italy. I wanted to explore not just the political events but also the human stories and the impact these relationships had on ordinary citizens over nearly a century.
**Editor**: You cover several pivotal moments, including the reaction to the 1974 divorce referendum. Why did you choose to highlight this event?
**Antonio Preziosi**: The 1974 divorce referendum was a significant turning point because it marked a rupture between the Holy See and the traditional political parties, particularly the Christian Democrats. The Church’s opposition was met with surprising resistance from the public, showcasing a shift towards secularism in Italian society. This earthquake, as I call it, highlighted internal conflicts within the Church, particularly among younger Catholics.
**Editor**: In your book, you also touch on John Paul II’s efforts to include Christian roots in the European Constitution. How did that reflect the broader relationship between the Vatican and Europe?
**Antonio Preziosi**: John Paul II saw the acknowledgment of Christian values in Europe as vital for the continent’s identity. His efforts were both political and cultural, revealing the Vatican’s desire to play a role in shaping Europe post-Cold War. However, his distress over the dismissal of his letter to Valéry Giscard d’Estaign is illustrative of the challenges the Vatican faced in influencing European politics during that time.
**Editor**: You mentioned that your work captures a journey through various administrations, from Alcide De Gasperi to Giorgia Meloni. What do you see as the overarching themes in these relationships?
**Antonio Preziosi**: The theme of negotiation and adaptation is central. Each political era brought new challenges that required both the Church and the government to find common ground while navigating changes in public sentiment. This dynamic continues today, as seen in the current government’s approach to social issues that resonate with both religious and secular audiences.
**Editor**: As we approach the 40th anniversary of the assassination of Aldo Moro, how do you think this event has shaped the Vatican’s stance in Italy?
**Antonio Preziosi**: Moro’s assassination was a tragic moment that exposed the vulnerabilities of the political system and the Church’s entanglement with politics. The Vatican’s response was cautious, balancing pastoral care with political implications. This has led to a more reserved approach regarding direct political involvement, emphasizing diplomacy over confrontation in the years since.
**Editor**: Thank you, Antonio, for shedding light on these complex topics. Your book promises to provide readers with a profound understanding of the intertwined histories of Italy and the Holy See.
**Antonio Preziosi**: Thank you! I hope it encourages readers to reflect on how history continues to shape our present.
