National Italian American Foundation, Allegrini: "Proud of the first Italian-American Pope. With Meloni Italy more protagonist in Europe"

We are with Robert Allegrini, President and CEO of NIAF, the National Italian American Foundation. Mr. President, do you believe that an important foundation like NIAF can play a significant role in strengthening the relationship between Italy and the United States?

First of all, good evening. Yes, I believe that NIAF can play a role, and we do that every day in many ways. NIAF awards over a million dollars a year in scholarships, grants to promote Italian culture, and travel opportunities to rediscover one’s roots. For example, this month we have 50 Italian American college students in Lazio for a two-week all-expenses paid trip to discover the land of their ancestors. And that’s just one of the many ways that NIAF helps keep Italian culture alive in America.

NIAF is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. You also have a partnership with Lega Serie A… What other interesting projects or collaborations is NIAF working on?

I am very excited about the project and the partnership with Serie A, because this will help us bring Italian culture to the new generations who love sports. But beyond Serie A, we are developing partnerships, for example with the Dante Alighieri Society, because we believe that promoting the Italian language in the United States is fundamental. You can’t truly understand a culture if you don’t understand the language that supports it. In addition to the partnership with the Dante Alighieri Society, we also have a partnership with the Mille Miglia… because what is more wonderfully Italian than Italian cars? We also have partnerships with wonderful cultural organizations like the Premio Paganini. Music, sports, language: it’s all part of what we do at the National Italian American Foundation.

The excellence of Italian culture and relations with the USA. In recent days, with the NIAF board of directors, you met Pope Leo XIV – the first American Pope – as well as President Mattarella. Tell us about these important meetings. Did you speak with the Pope in English or Italian first?

The Pope spoke to us in English, even though he speaks excellent Italian. And I must correct you: he is not only the first American Pope, but also the first Italian-American Pope, and this is a source of great pride for all of us. In his speech yesterday he acknowledged, I think for the first time publicly, that he has an Italian-American grandfather, a discovery he made only after he became Pope. We are all very proud to share common origins with this wonderful and very warm person, who radiates mercy and who I think will be an extraordinary Pope.

What do you think of Giorgia Meloni's leadership and the good relationship with Donald Trump? Is it true that there is a privileged relationship?

I think it's true that the two have a great relationship. NIAF is officially a nonpartisan organization, so we don't officially endorse any political party in the United States or in Italy. But I can say that I think the Italian American community is very proud of the fact that Italy, under the leadership of Giorgia Meloni, is taking a greater role in Europe. And, for the second time in my life, the American people know who the leader of Italy is -- and that should be a source of pride for all Italian Americans.

It’s a source of pride for everyone. In October, NIAF will celebrate its 50th anniversary in Washington DC. Over 3,000 guests are expected. Can you tell us which notables will be attending?

I hope that President Meloni will attend. If she is listening to us, she is warmly invited and I really hope that she will be able to attend. President Trump is also invited, and I think he will come, because he is a great lover of the Italian-American people. But in addition to the US President and the Italian Prime Minister, we already have confirmation of the participation of Andrea Bocelli as one of our awardees, and of the great industrialist John Elkann, who will receive the same lifetime achievement award that his illustrious grandfather, Gianni Agnelli, also received years ago.

My personal congratulations, President Allegrini. It was a pleasure to interview you and to be with the historic members of NIAF. I wish you great success. Thank you all.

I am very grateful to her and thank everyone in Italy for being so wonderful to us at NIAF and making us feel truly at home. Thank you.