«May the Lord welcome him»: a packed church in Orgosolo for Messina's funeral

"Before our dear brother we want the Lord to open his arms and welcome him in his mercy." These are the words pronounced by the parish priest of Orgosolo, Don Salvatore Goddi, during the homily for the funeral of Graziano Mesina, in the church of San Pietro.

A rite concelebrated by various priests, originally from the town of origin of the former bandit who died in Milan at the age of 83, in a church crowded with many inhabitants of Orgosolo.

Above the light wooden coffin is a composition of red roses and, next to it, the red and blue Cagliari shirt.

Filming and photography were prohibited during the service, as indicated by signs at the entrance.

The body had already returned to the country at 9:30, after the long journey that began yesterday morning at 11 from Milan: here, on Saturday 12 April, Messina's life ended, the day after his release from the Opera penitentiary for serious health reasons related to terminal cancer. The coffin traveled towards Livorno, from where it continued its journey by ship. This morning it disembarked in Olbia.