According to Bagnasco, the issue of immigration, "one of the most critical spheres" in the national life of Italy, requires "unfailingly civil responses" and "remedies that are always compatible with our civilisation". "Even in a European context", "cooperation agreements with the countries of origin" must be sought to "give lawfulness to irregular situations that are compatible with our system" and give "positive answers to the need for a progressive, well-balanced social inclusion and to applications for family reunions that are transparently submitted". The final part of the opening speech concerned Eluana Englaro, the girl who has been in a vegetative state for 16 years after a road accident. "What any enlightened conscience would like said the president of Cei is that while avoiding any useless form of futile care no masked forms of euthanasia, especially the withdrawal of treatment, should by any means legitimised or promoted, and that that ‘favor vitae’ which has distinguished the Italian legal system since the Constitution should be extolled once again". The "unyielding dignity" of the person, repeated the cardinal, "never fails, whatever the contingencies or impairments or disabilities that may affect one during one’s lifetime".
