FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:   Elissa Ruffino (NIAF) 202/939-3106 or elissa@niaf.org

July 28, 2011

OFFICIAL STATEMENT: THE NATIONAL ITALIAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION (NIAF) MOURNS THE PASSING OF ARCHBISHOP SAMBI, VATICAN NUNCIO TO THE UNITED STATES

Attribute to: Joseph V. Del Raso, Esq., President of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF)

On behalf of the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), I am deeply saddened by the death of Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the apostolic nuncio to the United States for more than five years. His Excellency passed away late Wednesday evening, July 27, from complications of lung surgery.

NIAF was honored to have Archbishop Sambi grace our annual anniversary galas in the nation’s capital for the last five years. Before 3,000 guests from across the United States and Italy, he gave the invocation for the dinner.

The archbishop was admired and respected by our board leadership. A man of faith, he served as an inspiration by his many works within the community. We all enjoyed his warm demeanor.

NIAF Board of Director Hon. Anita Bevacqua McBride and a personal friend of the late Archbishop Pietro Sambi comments.

” I am deeply saddened by the passing of Archbishop Pietro Sambi. His gentle, generous spirit and warm sense of humor will be greatly missed by all who knew him. From the earliest days of his arrival in Washington in 2006 as the Papal Nuncio, I had the privilege to work with Archbishop Sambi and learn about his many extraordinary experiences serving as a man of faith all over the world. I developed a special friendship and close bond with him during the preparations for His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to the White House in 2008. That visit remains the highlight of my White House service over two decades and three Administrations. I will always remember his grace, wisdom, and guidance in helping us with the plans for that historic day. I admired his great respect for the United States of America but will particularly miss sharing with him the love of our common Italian heritage.”

Washington, DC 2011

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., dedicated to preserving the heritage of Italian Americans. Visit www.niaf.org.