” ” ” “"In a serene climate, of prayer and deep emotion, Chiara Lubich ended, at the age of 88, her earthly journey tonight, 14th March 2008, at 2 am in her home in Rocca di Papa (Rome)". With these words, an official release from Movimento dei Focolari announced this morning the death of its founder, Chiara Lubich. Last night, after one month’s hospitalisation at Policlinico Gemelli for a severe respiratory failure, she had wanted to go back home in Rocca di Papa (Rome), which is next to the International Centre Opera di Maria. All day, yesterday, hundreds of people relatives, close collaborators and her spiritual children went to her room to pay her their last respects, then stopped in meditation in the adjoining chapel and stayed around the house, praying, for a long time. "An uninterrupted and spontaneous procession states yesterday’s release . To some, Chiara even managed to nod, despite being so weak". On her side, her first mates – Eli Folonari, who followed her closely, Dori Zamboni, Aletta Salizzoni, Silvana Veronesi, Graziella De Luca, Gis Calliari and Bruna Tomasi who founded the Movimento dei Focolari with her. Messages of sympathy keep coming from all over the world, from religious, political, academic and civilian leaders and from many of "her people".” “
