The head of state Sergio Mattarella is in Palermo where he will spend the day waiting for the first vote tomorrow in Montecitorio for the election of the new president of the Republic.
Shortly before 11, Mattarella left his home, in the central Via Libertà, to go to Mass, although this time he should attend the religious function inside the barracks of the Carabinieri Regional Command in Corso Vittorio Emanuele and not, as usual, in the nearby parish of San Michele.
Upon leaving the house, waiting for him, he found a crowd of onlookers who applauded him shouting "Thank you, president".
The head of state responded with a smile and waved goodbye.
The President of the Republic, who reached the Sicilian capital yesterday, should return to Rome on Tuesday but could anticipate as early as tomorrow in the case of an immediate election of his successor already on the first ballot.