STORY: Italy's former president Giorgio Napolitano dies at age of 98
DATELINE: Sept. 24, 2023
LENGTH: 0:01:58
LOCATION: Rome
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the funeral home of the President Emeritus of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano set up in the Caduti di Nassirya room in Palazzo Madama
2. various of President Mattarella at the funeral home of President Emeritus Giorgio Napolitano

STORYLINE:

Giorgio Napolitano, Italy's former and longest-serving president, died Friday at the age of 98.
   
He was selected as president in 2006 and became the first head of state to stand for a second seven-year term in 2013. But he stepped down in 2015, citing his age and health. He was replaced by the current president, Sergio Mattarella.
   
With a tenure lasting nearly nine years, Napolitano was Italy's head of state for nearly two years longer than any previous president. But Mattarella, Napolitano's successor, is set to surpass the length of Napolitano's mandate in two weeks' time.
   
Though news of Napolitano's passing broke late on Friday local time, official condolences were offered from figures ranging from current Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to leaders of other nations. 

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Rome.
(XHTV)