Pope Leo praises San Marino as model of freedom and common good

SAN MARINO -- Pope Leo XIV on Saturday hailed the tiny Republic of San Marino as a model of political freedom and civic responsibility, praising its centuries-old republican traditions while warning against political and economic systems that place power above the human person.Addressing local authorities during a one-day visit to the world’s oldest surviving republic, Leo reflected on the legacy of Saints Marino and Leone, whom he credited with helping create a society rooted in freedom, mutual respect and community.The pope said the two saints translated the Christian message into “a new community and political model, strongly characterized by the Christian principles of freedom, mutual respect and communion,” a legacy that he said continues to shape the republic today.San Marino, a nation of about 35,000 people completely surrounded by the Italian state, traces its origins to the fourth century. It is governed by a 60-member parliament that elects two captains regent every six months to serve jointly as heads of state, a power-sharing arrangement designed to prevent the concentration of authority.Using the micro state as an example, Leo argued that small political communities ca...