The power of forgiveness

Aldo Moro with his daughter Maria Fida and a grandchild.

Back on May 9, 1978, the whole world was shocked by the murder of Aldo Moro, an Italian statesman and a prominent member of the Christian Democracy party. He served as the38th prime Minister of Italy, from 1963 to 1968, and then from 1974 to 1976. He was one of Italy's longest-serving post-war Prime Ministers, holding power for a combined total of more than six years. He was one of the greatest and most popular leaders in the history of the Italian Republic. Moro was considered an intellectual and a patient mediator, especially in the internal life of his party. He was kidnapped on 16 March 1978 by the Red Brigades and killed after 55 days of captivity.
Six years after his assassination, his daughter Maria Fida went to the Roman prison to visit her father’s two assailants and told them that she forgave them. She said she went for 3 reasons. Firstly, because she was a Christian. Secondly, because that’s what her father would have done if he were still alive. And thirdly, because this proved to be a fundamental experience for her – a day that proved to be a meeting of reconciliation and forgiveness. The two killers realized how much heart-ache they had caused the family of Aldo Moro. And in the end, Maria Fida had rediscovered her faith after her father’s assassination. The process for his canonization is underway.