Italy's President Giorgio Napolitano waves during a Liberation Day ceremony at the Unknown Soldier's monument in central Rome April 25, 2014, in this handout photo provided by the Italian Presidency Press Office. REUTERS/Paolo Giandotti/Italian Presidency Press Office/Handout via Reuters
ROME (Reuters) - Italy's 89-year-old President Giorgio Napolitano said on Wednesday that he would step down soon because of his age, leaving Prime Minister Matteo Renzi facing a delicate political challenge to replace him.
After dropping hints for months, Napolitano began the president's annual end-year address by saying he was speaking also to his successor, who would "soon" take his place.
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