The solemn funerals of the four Italian soldiers who died in the helicopter crash in Bosnia. The homily: "Sowers of seeds of peace"

In Rome, in the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, the solemn funerals of Simone Ruggia, Claudio Marchesi, Franco Adriano Zecchillo and Laura Procacci, who died on 29 October in the crash of a CH-47 helicopter during the Eufor Althea mission.

The President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Meloni are present, with the presidents of the Senate and Chamber, Ignazio La Russa and Lorenzo Fontana.

The coffins, wrapped in the tricolor flag, were welcomed by a guard of honor and carried on the shoulders of their comrades.

Their photographs on the coffins of the Army Aviation sergeants, Simone Ruggia and Claudio Marchesi, of Lieutenant Franco Adriano Zecchillo and Sergeant Laura Procacci of the Volunteer Military Corps of the Italian Red Cross.

Monsignor Gian Franco Saba's homily: "Sowers of peace"

"We are invited to look at them as sowers of seeds of peace through the promotion of humanitarian aid, driven by the desire to promote solutions for the most fragile and to keep hope alive in populations exposed to aggression". Thus Gian Franco Saba, military ordinary during the homily during the solemn funerals of the four soldiers who died in the helicopter crash in Bosnia. "Simone, Claudio, Franco Adriano and Laura have understood that dedicating their lives for service is a foretaste of paradise, true wisdom - he underlined - they have understood that love for humanity in certain contexts requires dedication to train oneself to operate promptly and competently for the benefit of peace, of care among peoples, of healthcare intervention in possible critical and emergency situations. They have made their talents and skills available".

"After a passage of torment in this world we now like to think of our brothers in the company of the saints relieved from the hardships of life, accepting evangelically does not mean falling into the confusion of pain, accepting means asking to look at life with the gaze of God, eternal life does not begin only after death, in reality it already begins in this world marked by the precariousness of the events of this world" said Gian Franco Sala in a passage of his homily. "Simone, Claudio, Franco Adriano and Claudia understood that dedicating their lives to service is evangelical wisdom, this orientation comes from the heart of God and from love for humanity, they wanted to cooperate for this, for a universal brotherhood", added Sala.