“My visit is evidence that we should stand together to defend both,” words of former Prime Minister of Italy, Alcide De Gasperi. 

On Friday, February 28, the diocesan phase closed for the beatification of Alcide De Gasperi. The ceremony took place at the Lateran Palace in Rome, marking a crucial step in the process of recognizing his virtues. 

Alcide De Gasperi, Italy’s first prime minister after World War II, was a statesman deeply rooted in Catholic values. A key figure in the post-war reconstruction of Italy, he played a central role in Italy’s economic recovery, aided by American support through international assistance programs. His leadership helped guide the nation through its most challenging years, and his unwavering commitment to Christian values influenced his approach to politics, advocating for peace, unity, and social justice. 

Matteo Ciofi of the EWTN Vatican Bureau notes, “Alcide De Gasperi is certainly an extraordinary figure, not only because of his charisma, not only because of the strength of his faith, but above all because of his ability to read the times. Obviously, after the Second World War, Italy was a defeated, destroyed country, and he managed to find a way to lift it up and bring it to the economic boom of the late 1950s and early 1960s. So, when we think of him, we think of a figure who had the merit and the ability to turn a particularly difficult, complicated moment into an opportunity for the country's rebirth.” 

The closing of the diocesan phase paves the way for the next steps in the beatification process, with the documentation now set to be sent to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome. If the process progresses positively, De Gasperi could be recognized as "Venerable," bringing him one step closer to beatification. 

Adapted by Jacob Stein

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