Italy is mourning one of the top figures from its world of journalism following the death of Eugenio Scalfari at the age of 98 on Thursday. Scalfari founded two of Italy’s most important news publications, the daily newspaper La Repubblica and the investigative journalism weekly, L’Espresso.
Scalfari wrote many books and frequently addressed philosophical issues. Although an atheist, a piece he wrote on faith and secularity prompted Pope Francis to reply with a letter to La Repubblica in September 2014.
“Eugenio Scalfari was an example of civil journalism, a profound intellectual who made a mark on the history of the Italian Republic with this work,” said the Italian Minister of Culture Dario Franceschini. “His passing leaves an immense vacuum.”
