Napolitano's son Giulio invites moment of unity and sharing

(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 26 - Giulio Napolitano, son of the latefirst two-time president of the republic Giorgio Napolitano, onTuesday invited mourners at his father's funeral to "live thismoment in a spirit of unity and sharing".
   Speaking during the non-religious ceremony in the Lower House inPalazzo Montecitorio, he also thanked the authorities presentand the Italians who paid visited the chapel of rest in theSenate to pay their respects on Sunday and Monday.
   "A deferential thank you to the Pope for a gesture that movedus," said Giulio Napolitano in relation to Pope Francis'surprise visit to the chapel of rest after the Angelus blessingon Sunday in what was the first ever visit by a pontiff toItaly's upper house of parliament.
   Speaking of his father, Napolitano recalled "a drawing I did atprimary school back in 1976 (that) proudly portrayed him withthe words 'My father is a Member of Parliament'".
   "And he was sitting in front of a desk, so for 50 years I sawhim in that position: reading, studying, taking notes andwriting speeches even when he was at the Quirinale (the officialresidence of the president of the republic, ed.)," he said.
   "I cannot remember a single day that didn't involve work,"continued Napolitano.
   "for him, politics was a serious matter. It required decisionsand taking responsibility," he insisted, adding that his father"could not tolerate demagoguery".
   "Politics was inseparable from everyday life, politics was ourhorizon," said Napolitano, adding however that "this did notprevent him from being a very loving husband and father".
   In agreeing to serve a second mandate in 2013 - the firstpresident ever to do so - Giorgio Napolitano "accepted with aspirit of sacrifice the extreme extension of hisresponsibilities, before continuing his commitment as a lifesenator, demonstrating what the nobility of politics andattachment to the institutions really is", said his son. (ANSA).