Officer cadets of the 207th Fermezza course received by Pope Leo XIV

A group of officer cadets from the 207° “Fermezza” course at the Accademia Militare di Modena attended the General Audience presided over by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter's Square.

At the end of the ceremony, the Holy Father met with the Commander of the Accademia Militare, Major General Stefano Messina, accompanied by the course cadets and a delegation of the institution's officers, non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel.

During the meeting, the Commander and the cadets presented the Pontiff with a ceramic depicting an Academy cadet in historical uniform, along with a reproduction of the traditional headdress known as the “due pizzi”, one of the most distinctive symbols of the Accademia Militare di Modena.

The meeting was particularly meaningful for the young people who have chosen to pursue a military career and dedicate themselves to serving the Nation, providing an opportunity to share the values of responsibility, discipline, service and care for others.

The cadets' presence at the Vatican also demonstrated the Pontiff's closeness to the men and women of the Armed Forces and to those preparing to assume future command responsibilities in service to the institutions and the community.