(ANSA) - FLORENCE, APRIL 06 - The 'Charter of Florence' was delivered to the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, by Cardinal Walter Bassetti, President of the CEI, by Cardinal Giuseppe Betori, Archbishop of Florence and by the Mayor of Florence Dario Nardella, received by the Head of State at the Quirinale this morning.
The 'Charter of Florence' is the document drawn up on the occasion of the meeting of the mayors and bishops of the Mediterranean which took place from 24 to 27 February in the Tuscan capital.
"We are grateful to the President of the Republic for the attention he has reserved for the Bishops and the city of Florence - said the mayor Nardella -. It is a gesture of great sensitivity for a historic initiative that will be talked about for a long time: 60 bishops and 65 mayors from all the shores of the Mediterranean that sign a declaration with specific commitments for peace, to promote culture among peoples and cities, for solidarity, for the environment, is an unprecedented fact ".
"President Mattarella - declared the archbishop of Florence, Cardinal Giuseppe Betori - expressed his appreciation for the event organized in our city at the end of February, which brought together the bishops and mayors of the Mediterranean, and for the document the 'Charter of Florence' which it resulted, and which we handed over to him. A document that contains what is the aspiration of peoples to peace, freedom, justice ".
"In the conversation - added Cardinal Betori - the topicality of the event, its contents and topics of discussion emerged, in the face of the tragedy that is unfolding in Ukraine. There was no lack of references, and the topicality of the teaching and of the gestures of peace by Giorgio LaPira that inspired the meeting in Florence ".
(HANDLE).