Loyola University Chicago

President Scalfaro Greets Students

Students and staff of Loyola University Rome Center met with the President of Italy, Oscar Luigi Scalfaro Friday, Feb 17. The special invitation was extended in connection with the center's long history in Rome and the visit of the President of Loyola University Chicago, Fr. John J. Piderit, S.J. The gathering was held at President Scalfaro's official residence, the Quirinal Palace.

John Felice, founder and director of the Rome Center, opened the ceremony thanking the Italian President for his support of the program. "Thank you, Mr. President, and through you the Romans and the Italians, for having given so much to our students, helping them in their pursuit of literary, historical, political and moral truth." Felice also thanked President Scalfaro's predecessors, remembering that in 1962 the creation of the Rome Center was encouraged by then President Gronchi. Since that time the students have met with each of the succeeding six Italian presidents.

President Scalfaro addressed the group with the aid of a translator. He encouraged students to search for the truths mentioned by Felice, citing the truths of Roman Law and Christianity. "Rome has a light that never dims and it's up to us to carry this light within us so it is never dimmed," he said. Following his speech, Scalfaro shook hands with those in attendance while his photographer took pictures.

After the address the President's assistants led the group on a tour of the Quirinal Palace, which has been closed to the public for many years. In its over 400-year existence the palace has functioned as a papal residence, a royal palace for the Kings of Italy, and the official residence of the President of the Republic. The palace is located on the highest of the seven hills of ancient Rome, Quirinal Hill. Construction began on the first wing in 1583 and the palace was not completed until King Victor Emmanuel II renovated it after the capture of Rome and the fleeing of Pope Pius IX to the Vatican in 1870.

The palace was elaborately decorated with tapestry, mosaics, frescoes, and sculptures from different periods in Italian history. The collection also held original Louis XIV furniture and statues of Saint Peter and Saint Paul by Bernini. Student Sam Secrest from the University of Miami said, "The works were beautiful, it is a shame the palace was not open to the public." In fall 1994 the public was given access to the palace only on Sunday morning.

The presidential audience and the visit to the palace was a memorable experience for students and staff of the Rome Center. Student Tim Joyce from Loyola University Chicago said, "It was an incredible experience, it's something that I'll always remember from my semester abroad."