"I learn with deep sadness the news of the death of Silvio Berlusconi, founder and leader of Forza Italia, a protagonist of long seasons of Italian politics and republican institutions. Berlusconi was a great political leader who marked the history of our Republic, affecting paradigms, customs and languages". With this message, the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, joined in the condolences for the death of Silvio Berlusconi. "In a season of profound upheaval, his "descent into the field," with a newly founded party, obtained such wide consensus that he was able to immediately compose a majority and a government," Mattarella continued. "Berlusconi's leadership helped shape a new geography of Italian politics, allowing him to assume the office of Prime Minister four times. In these capacities, he dealt with events of global significance, such as the crisis opened by the attack on the Twin Towers, the fight against international terrorism, and the financial upheavals at the end of the first decade of the new century. He gradually integrated the political movement he founded into the European popular family by fostering continuity in the Atlantic and Europeanist direction of our Republic. He was a person of great humanity and a successful entrepreneur, an innovator in his field. He achieved outstanding positions in the television and media industry long before his own direct involvement in institutions. He was the architect of important successes in the world of Italian sports". "I would like to express my condolences and solidarity with his children, all his family members, his party, and those who were closest to him in life and in his last battle with the disease, fought with courage and exemplary optimism," the Head of State concluded.