During a ceremony at the Holy See, Pope Francis welcomed the soldiers of the Italian Army, participants of theOperation "Strade Sicure" (Lazio and Abruzzo Regiment), demonstrating the deep connection between the military community and the universal values of peace and service.
The event was attended by numerous military personnel together with their families, a tangible sign of the importance the Church attaches to the contribution of these men and women in peace and security missions. The 'Strade Sicure' operation represents a constant commitment of the Italian military in guaranteeing security on national territory, guarding and patrolling sensitive sites and targets to prevent and fight crime and terrorism.
At the end of the hearing, a special highlight was the handover of the Honorary Military Parachutist Brevet to Pope Francis by the Brigadier General Massimiliano Mongillo, Commander of the Folgore Parachute Brigade. The symbolic gesture acknowledges the pontiff "His testimony to the universal values of courage, duty, integrity and spirit of service, the foundations of the actions of the paratroopers of the Folgore Brigade".
The Silver-Winged Brevet is the culmination of an extremely selective training course, which assesses not only the candidates' physical and psychological abilities, but also their profound adherence to the values of courage, duty and integrity, which are essential for putting the common interest above the personal.
Operation 'Strade Sicure', from December 2023 under the responsibility of the Folgore Parachute Brigade, emphasises the importance of the joint work between the Armed Forces and the Police Forces in guaranteeing security and public order, through the deployment of more than 1,300 men at around 100 sensitive sites.
The meeting between Pope Francis and the soldiers of the Lazio and Abruzzo Regiment is an eloquent example of how the values of solidarity, service and sacrifice continue to be a beacon of hope and inspiration for the entire community, strengthening the indissoluble bond between the Nation, its Armed Forces and Faith.
