Italy honors Berlusconi with crowded state funeral

ROME

Italy honored three-time Premier Silvio Berlusconi with a state funeral and a day of national mourning on Wednesday, as thousands of people gathered outside Milan’s central Duomo cathedral to bid farewell to a man who – despite being divisive until his very last days – remarkably shaped Italian politics, media and society.

The crowd erupted in long applause as Berlusconi’s casket arrived in front of the Duomo, with many fans holding flags celebrating AC Milan, which he made one of the most successful soccer teams in the world. “There’s only one president,” they chanted, as they did when Berlusconi was at Milan’s stadium to support his beloved team.

Inside the cathedral, his family members sat along with Italy’s top politicians, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella. His children and latest partner Marta Fascina followed the casket in front of the altar and often burst into tears until it slowly left the Duomo Square.

Italians have split over Berlusconi’s legacy as a political leader and billionaire media tycoon. This sparked a heated controversy between the former premier allies and his critics, over the opportunity to salute his departure with the highest state honors.

Berlusconi died on Monday at the age of 86 at Milan San Raffaele’s hospital due to complications linked to chronic leukemia.

Milan Archbishop Mario Delpini openly referred to the leader's divisive legacy in his passionate eulogy, stressing how he was a businessman and a politician who won and lost and had admirers and detractors, “those who applaud him and those who detest him.”

“But in this moment of farewell and prayer, what can we say about Silvio Berlusconi? He has been a man: a desire for life, a desire for love, a desire for joy,” Delpini said.

Opposition members and old-time rivals have questioned the government’s decision not only to hold a state funeral for Berlusconi but also to declare a national day of mourning – a very rare honor. They argued that Berlusconi’s long string of judicial troubles, political controversies, and sex scandals didn’t give him the standing to receive such honors.

Berlusconi has also been criticized for having maintained control of his vast business empire while conquering a leading role in Italian politics, building his power on a “conflict of interests” that has tarnished Italian society.

However, Milan's Duomo Square was filled with about 15,000 people – according to Italian media – including supporters, regular citizens, and even tourists, who were allowed to follow the ceremony on giant screens.

Hungarian President Viktor Orban and Qatar’s ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, were among the high-ranking foreign politicians who attended the funeral.

Meloni, who was a young minister with Berlusconi, attended the ceremony along with the League leader and long-time ally Matteo Salvini, and the two Chambers’ speakers, among other top officials.

Former premiers Paolo Gentiloni, Mario Monti, and Mario Draghi were also present to pay homage to a man who was often a staunch political rival.