Overview
- Speaking from the Quirinale’s Studio alla Vetrata, the president delivered a roughly 15‑minute message at 20:30 on unified networks in a pre‑recorded broadcast.
- He condemned the refusal of peace by those who feel stronger, invoking the war in Ukraine and the devastation in Gaza, and urged Italians to “disarm words,” echoing appeals by Popes Leone XIV and Francis.
- Framing 2026 as the Republic’s 80th year, he set the speech against the Constitution and the iconic 1946 Patellani photo, using republican memory to reaffirm democratic foundations.
- Calling social cohesion Italy’s true strength, he warned of cracks—poverty, inequality, injustice, corruption, tax evasion and environmental crimes—and reiterated Europe and the Atlantic alliance as guiding coordinates.
- He closed with a direct appeal to young people to be demanding and courageous and to choose their future, as cross‑party leaders praised the message and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni phoned to convey the government’s appreciation.