This morning, Saturday 9 December, a delegation from the Air Force was received in audience by Pope Francis in the Vatican.
The hearing, in the Sala Clementina, was attended by the chief of staff of the Air Force, air team general Luca Goretti, the military ordinary for Italy, Msgr. Santo Marcianò, the episcopal vicar for the Air Force, Don Antonio Coppola, and a large representation of military and civilian personnel from the Armed Forces, together with some family members of the personnel who died in recent months.
“With various initiatives you have retraced a history that follows that of the nation and, at the same time, intersects with the events of Europe and the world. A story that can be read from different perspectives”, Pope Francis highlighted in his speech during the audience. “There is the prospect of scientific progress which, in these hundred years, has transformed the life of humanity. It has marked, in a special way, the world of 'flight', with an extraordinary evolution of means and methods; a progress which, as always, has also brought problems and pitfalls.
From very poor aircraft, piloted with effort and great difficulty, we have arrived at sophisticated aerospace engineering systems that allow us to cross the skies, completing complex feats and even reaching places in extraterrestrial space. And here it must be reiterated that research, innovation and new technologies must never be subordinated to power interests or harmful uses, but must always be directed towards the integral good of man, the development of all peoples, greater justice . On this path yours is and will remain a precious service to peace".
“Then there is the service perspective, which is also evolving”, continued the Holy Father. “If at the beginning the presence of the military was necessary especially in the tragic time of war, today, as with other Armed Forces, the women and men of the Air Force intervene in many other contexts.
I am thinking of flight safety and rescue, for which you ensure 24-hour availability; cooperation with international organizations for humanitarian and peace support missions; to the management of serious natural disasters also in favor of less equipped countries and more disadvantaged populations.
I am also thinking of your contribution in health emergencies, such as the covid-19 pandemic, which has seen you committed to keeping hospitals operational, supporting the vaccination campaign and ensuring the air transport of sick people. Transport is also necessary in other health emergencies, or in special needs of the Nation, such as the movement of citizens in difficulty abroad or of authorities. It is a commitment that honors you, from which we understand the depth of your service to your homeland, extended to the great human family".
Pope Francis then concluded: “And the last perspective is precisely the human one. You defend, welcome, help and serve people, also supported by the ministry of Chaplains. And you also carry out training activities, offering together with the specialized expertise, transmitted in your schools, the legacy of a cultural and value heritage, which allows you to maintain your identity as servants of the State and citizens. Finally, you are men and women characterized by great passion, commitment, courage and motivation; ready to pay their price of effort and, sometimes, of life, as was the case, for example, for the thirteen Italian soldiers killed in Kindu, in Congo, during a humanitarian transport under the auspices of the UN.
In this time, in which humanity is tormented by terrible conflicts, the safeguarding of this human wealth represents the best guarantee of the fact that your commitment is always directed towards the defense of life, justice and peace.
For all this I entrust you, your families and your service to the heavenly Patroness, the Madonna of Loreto, whose liturgical memorial occurs tomorrow.
I bless you from the bottom of my heart. And please, I ask you to pray for me.".
The event aroused great emotion among the Air Force personnel, to whom the Holy Father addressed a particular greeting and to whom he gave moments of emotion and deep reflection.
