As reported by the Quirinale, on the occasion of Republic Day celebrations, the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, paid tribute this morning at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Altare della Patria in Rome.
President Mattarella, accompanied by the Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto, reviewed the honor guard assembled in Piazza Venezia and laid a laurel wreath before the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, in remembrance of all service members and civilians who have served—and continue to serve—the State with dedication and selflessness.
The ceremony was attended by the Presidents of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, Ignazio La Russa and Lorenzo Fontana; the President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni; and the President of the Constitutional Court, Giovanni Amoroso.
As tradition dictates, the moment was marked by the notes of the National Anthem and the flyover of the Frecce Tricolori.
On the occasion of Republic Day, the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, sent the following message to the Chief of the Defense Staff, Luciano Portolano:
(Courtesy translation): “Eighty years have passed since that June 2nd, 1946, when the Italian people carried out an unprecedented act of freedom. Through universal suffrage, women and men—voting together for the very first time—chose to leave behind the ruins of war and the horrors of an oppressive, totalitarian regime, and to begin rebuilding a nation that was free, democratic, and republican.
On the eightieth anniversary of the Republic, we honor the memory of the service members who, as part of the Combat Groups—units that fought with dedication and courage in the War of Liberation—were among the protagonists of Italy’s rebirth, restoring honor and freedom to the nation.
Today we are not merely marking a historical anniversary; we are celebrating a moment of profound significance, one that renews our collective commitment to uphold, protect, and fully realize the values at the heart of our Constitution—our ‘common home,’ which safeguards the life of our national community and our rights, while also reminding us of our duties of solidarity.
The challenges and risks that threaten our security and well‑being today must be confronted with resolve. There can be no true peace as long as pockets of threat persist, and there can be no genuine well‑being if even a part of humanity is forced to live in precarious conditions.
Italy, together with Europe, is committed to restoring the value of rules in international life, to overcoming a phase of ongoing conflict, and to building a new and effective security framework for all peoples. The Italian Armed Forces—one of the pillars of the Republic and guardians of the principles that underpin peaceful coexistence among nations—are called upon to contribute to this goal.
With these sentiments, and in remembrance of all those who gave their lives for the independence and freedom of our homeland, I join the entire Italian people in extending an affectionate embrace to service members of every rank, renewing our gratitude for their dedication and offering them our warmest wishes.
Long live the Armed Forces, long live the Republic”.
