Italy bids farewell to EU parliament chief at state funeral

Pallbearers carry the casket of European Parliament President David Sassoli during his funeral at Rome's Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and of the Martyrs, in Rome, Italy, January 14, 2022. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane

ROME (Reuters) - Italy held a state funeral on Friday for European Parliament President David Sassoli, with Italian and European Union leaders joining family and friends for a service in a Rome basilica.

"I've had a good life, an extremely good life, even if a bit complicated, and to end it at 65 is really too early," Sassoli's wife, Alessandra Vittorini, quoted her husband as saying shortly before his death.