The President of Malta on a visit to Florence

H.E. Prof. Guido de Marco, President of Malta, today made a fleeting visit to Florence, Italy, where he attended the annual Christmas Concert and Mass hosted by the Societ'? Autostrade at theChiesa dell'Autostrada del Sole San Giovanni Battista.

Renowned conductor Mro. Daniel Oren directed the orchestra and choir of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino and various soloists in Rossini's Stabat Mater. H.E. Cardinal Giovanni Cheli celebrated Mass.

The glittering concert has been for the past five years an opportunity for various international personalities from the fields of politics, business and the academic world to, not only exchange greetings for the festive season, but also to reflect on peace and tolerance, progress and co-existence of different cultures and traditions.

For the third consecutive year, Mrs Lea Rabin, widow of the slain Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, attended the concert. The Societ'? Autostrade has long been propagating a message of peace and takes every opportunity to condemn any form of violence, intolerance, and any action that generates terror and suffering.

Prof. de Marco is expected back this evening.

In his absence, Dr Guz'? Cassar was sworn in Acting President.