At the Rimini Meeting, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani emphasized that being Italian or European is not about ancestry but about shared values and cultural identity. He stated that he values someone with foreign-born parents who proudly sings Italy’s national anthem more than someone whose family has been Italian for generations but shows no patriotic sentiment. Tajani highlighted that Italian and European identities are defined by inner convictions, not skin color or heritage, adding that where one’s parents were born—whether in Kiev, La Paz, or Dakar—is irrelevant.
Tajani’s remarks were made during a panel discussion also attended by Bernhard Scholz, President of the Meeting for Friendship Among Peoples Foundation, and Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia, President of the Pontifical Academy for Life. Scholz expressed concern about the increasing fragmentation and conflict within Western societies, noting the growing vulnerability of democracy not only in America but also in parts of Europe.
Monsignor Paglia called for a “providential alliance” between political, governmental, and ecclesiastical institutions to foster peace. He argued that cooperation is a powerful path to peace, stressing that war leaves the world worse off than before. Paglia urged for a stronger cultural shift toward making peace the foundation of stable and just relations among different peoples, and he expressed hope that the Italian government would accelerate and strengthen its commitment to this cause.
