Pippo Baudo is a knight of the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. The appointment came from the Head of State Sergio Mattarella.
"Yesterday I received this gift from Mattarella - the presenter confirmed today at Adnkronos - He informed me that he had awarded me this honor and I went to the Quirinale where I had a warm and intense meeting with the President, we are very friends since years".
"It is the last great gift he gave me - adds Baudo -. It is a very coveted honor, I am the 301st in the whole country. It is a recognition of his work and his professionalism".
"The nice thing - he underlines - is that it came as a surprise because I never aimed at it, so when you get such a gift you are even happier".
"In Mattarella - observes Baudo - I testified that he is one of the most beloved Presidents in the history of the Republic, he is always present in all circumstances and in the best way. After all, he is a scholar, a constitutionalist of great value. I know him. for some time and yesterday we retraced the years in which we were involved in politics together. He began to take up politics to replace his brother Piersanti killed by the mafia, and he did so by bearing the burden of this great pain ".
(Unioneonline / vl)