Pope Francis yesterday telephoned outgoing Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta, Italian media reports.

Sources quoted by ANSA news agency said the conversation was “particularly affectionate” and Letta was “very impressed”. He expressed his heartfelt thanks to the Holy Father and said he will “always treasure the memory of his gesture," the source said.

Letta, who belongs to the center-left PD party, resigned as Prime Minister on Feb. 14 after growing criticism of the slow pace of Italian economic reform left him increasingly isolated. His rival, Matteo Renzi, succeeded him, promising stability and a new phase of reform.

Pope Francis received Enrico Letta in a private audience on July 4th last year, just two months after he took office.

(Nguồn: Zenit.org)