At the end of 2018, this journal wrote about a major state of world disorder: “More than ever, this state of disorder requires a strong international stance from Italy and an active foreign policy, especially in the Mediterranean, the meeting point of Europe, Africa and Asia. Perhaps a call for a ‘new Mediterranean order’ is necessary.”[1] Today, thirty years after the Balkan crisis, this is more urgent than ever as Europe experiences the tragedy of war on the borders of the European Union.
An unforeseen coincidence saw the dual forum of bishops and mayors from across the Mediterranean gathered in Florence from February 23 to 27, and meeting at the same time as Putin’s offensive in Ukraine commenced. This “provocation” of history rendered even more dramatic and timely the reflections of the 58 bishops from three different continents, who gathered in the Dominican convent of Santa Maria Novella, and the 65 mayors of the Mediterranean, gathered in Palazzo Vecchio. This article is reserved for paid subscribers. Please subscribe to continue reading this article
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