Pippo Baudo's funeral in Militello, a crowd of fans pay tribute to the TV star.

"We have to thank Pippo Baudo," say some residents of Militello in Val di Catania, seeing workers clearing brush from the edges of provincial roads. "They called us in a hurry to clear the road, ready for the arrival of the authorities," the workers say. "We are soldiers. And even under the scorching sun, we're happy to do it for Pippo Baudo."

"I will be in church to say goodbye to my father, in his Militello. A special place to which he has always been tied by a deep and sincere affection. Years ago, my father took me there. At the time, my son Sean was a child who, through his grandfather's stories, became fascinated by the wonders of his homeland. I have wonderful memories of it that I will always carry with me." These are the words of Alessandro Baudo, who has just arrived from Australia to attend the funeral of his father Pippo Baudo. "The sad news," he said, "reached me while I was in Australia, where I live. I had just left Melbourne to visit my son Sean and his grandchildren who live in Brisbane. I regret that my father was unable to meet his two youngest grandchildren." Alessandro Baudo added: "We saw each other very little, but I always loved him. During these very sad days, I have repeatedly watched an amateur video of us all together in Sicily, of my father affectionately embracing my son Sean, still a baby, while he teaches him a few words in Italian."

Militello's mayor, Giovanni Burtone, welcomed Baudo's coffin. "I was very close to Pippo," the mayor said. "We shared important moments. I also spoke to him during President Mattarella's visit and again in April when Militello was proclaimed a 2025 Borgo dei Borghi. He was excited, proud, but also knew how to look beyond. He told me: we must move forward, not stop at the accolades. He had a great vision."

The chapel of rest will open shortly before 9:00 a.m. in the Church of Santa Maria della Stella in Militello in Val di Catania (Catania) for the final tribute to Pippo Baudo. The coffin arrived shortly after midnight and was greeted with prolonged applause. The funeral of the well-known television host, who chose to be buried in his native Militello, will be held at 4:00 p.m.