The farewell to Pippo Baudo: the funeral, the burial next to the parents, the live TV and who will be present
A moved eavine accepted the arrival in Militello in Val di Catania of the Cartia Funeral Maseratte with the body of Pippo Baudo in midnight. Hundreds of people, gathered behind the barriers and waiting for hours, have accompanied with a long applause the entry into the country of the beloved presenter, who disappeared in recent days. The procession stopped in front of the church of Santa Maria della Stella, where the burning chamber was opened this morning. To welcome the coffin, Father Giuseppe Lucarelli gave the blessing, while the notes of theInterlude from the Rustic cavalrysong that Baudo himself had chosen for his farewell.
The funeral: a national event
This afternoon, at 4 pm, Militello will host the solemn funeral, celebrated by the Bishop of Caltagirone, Monsignor Calogero Peri, together with the parish priest Giuseppe Luparello. The homily will be entrusted to Don Giuseppe Albanese, spiritual father of Baudo. Among the expected authorities, the president of the Senate includes Ignazio La RussaMade in Italy minister Adolfo Ursothe Undersecretary for Culture Gianmarco Mazzi and the President of the Sicily Region Renato Schifani.
The church of Santa Maria della Stella will be able to welcome about 300 people among family, friends and institutional representatives. To allow the participation of citizenship, thousands of people will follow the ceremony through a giant screen set up in the square.
The last trip from Rome
The transfer of the body from Rome was organized with the collaboration of the Interior Ministry to guarantee safety and public order. The hearse started from the Prati district, among the honors of the police and on the notes of “Pink Woman”, passing in front of the offices in via della Giuliana, where Baudo had worked for years. To watch over his last trip, Dina Minnacollaborator and figure of trust that has joined him for decades in the world of entertainment.
The link with Militello and the memory of friends
The mayor Giovanni Burtone recalled the strong attachment of the conductor to the country of origin: «Pippo always came when his family was there, every summer and during the Christmas holidays. When he went down to the village he didn’t want filters, he met people as a friend, as if he knew everyone. He had affected the community, an affection reciprocated by all of us ».
Memoirs of youth also emerge from the words of those who knew him as a child. Salvatore Portuso, schoolmate, says: «He was already famous as a child, known by everyone for this tendency of artist. If there is one thing to appreciate it is that he did not know the presumption and pride. A person of an immense elegance ». I also remember alive for Gianni Di Pasquale, carabiniere on leave: “He was always very joyful. When he was here he was always smiling, he greeted everyone on the street up to the main square. But with affection, like a friend ».
Security and organization
For an event that recalls thousands of people from all over Italy, local authorities have prepared an imposing security plan. The Civil Protection, supported by volunteers from different provinces, will provide assistance to the participants, while 118 has enhanced its services. The primary of surgery, emergency room and resuscitation of the local hospital will guarantee their presence between church and square. Trenitalia has increased the connections, with additional buses from Catania Centrale, Militello and Gela.
The burial
At the end of the funeral, the coffin will be accompanied to Militello cemeterywhere he will be buried in the family chapel designed by the Catania architect Giuseppe Pagnano. On the hood of the coffin, the pillow of the grandchildren Nicole and Nicholas, while the crown sent by the Presidency of the Republic was laid on the altar.
Farewell on live TV
The ceremony will be broadcast live by the main national networks. Rai 1 will follow the funeral with a special programming from 15.30 to 18.10. Mediaset, on Retequattro, will propose the special Diary of the day – Goodbye Pippoconducted by Monica Bertini, from 15.35 to 18.55.
