It is always difficult to find the right words to talk about death, especially when you lose a young man of only 30 years old. Francesco Occhiuto has disappeared prematurely in Cosenzaleaving an immense void in those who knew and loved him. Today the church of Santa Maria Madre of the church of Viale Cosmai, welcomed the last farewell to the young man. A church that has been filled with numerous faces marked by pain. Of looks that were looking for comfort. Of hugs who wanted to tighten the memory of those who went away too early. The father, Mario Occhiuto, former mayor of Cosenza and current senator, uncle, Roberto Occhiuto, president of the Calabria region, witnesses of a mourning that also goes beyond the private individual, touching the most intimate strings of public and personal life. In that assembly, the condolence became tangible, like a mantle that enveloped those who had known Francesco as a young man full of dreams, hopes and genuine joy.
«This evening is the expression of a collective embrace. We all present here we want to grit together in a gesture that goes beyond words, because in the face of the mystery of death there are no human words capable of filling the pain or offering true comfort. A hug. The embrace of all of us. The embrace of Francesco, Paola, Mario, Giovanni, Maria Clara and all relatives’ friends. A strong hug, because only in this way can we remember that we are not alone. Words cannot fill the void that Francesco leaves, because each person is unique and irreplaceable. This void exists and we must welcome it, but must not turn into chaos. In the first verse of the book of Genesis there is talk of an original void, which is gradually filled by the creative word of God, a word that is not human, but that comes from above. Our void will also remain from a human point of view, but it is called to transform itself ». These are the words of the homily by Don Giacomo Tuoto.
Present the representatives of the government Maurizio Gasparri, Claudio Lotito and Licia Ronzulli, the Undersecretary Wanda Ferro, the Prefect of Cosenza Rosa Maria Padovano, the mayor of the city Franz Caruso, the president of the province Rosaria Succurro and the representatives of the regional and political institutions, political, military institutions and religious. To officiate the Mass Don Nardino Bonanno Bishop Emeritus San Marco Argentano.