Sergio Mattarella was greeted with warm applause ahead of his swearing in as the new Italian President. The election of the 73-year-old is seen as victory for Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. <br /><br /> Born into a Sicilian family the President started out on a political career after his brother was shot dead by the Mafia. <br /><br /> “The fight against the mafia and corruption are absolute priorities. Corruption has reached a level which is not acceptable. It uses up resources which could be used for our people,” he said.<br /><br /> His call to arms against corruption was endorsed by the lawmakers from Italy’s two chambers. He called for Europe to address the problem of migrants arriving on Europe’s shores.<br /><br /> “Wars, attacks, political, ethical and religious persecutions, miseries and famines generate huge masses of refugees. It is a serious and painful humanitarian catastrophe which is now an urgent priority. Europe must show more attention to this problem, must engage with it and show solidarity.” <br /><br /> Sergio Matta
