Ponza, August 5, 1943
Most Reverend,
Saturday, August 7 is the second anniversary of the death of my son Bruno, who fell from the sky over Pisa. I beg you to celebrate a memorial Mass for his soul. I enclosed a thousand lire, which you will have at your disposal in the most convenient way. I would also like to donate a book to you by Giuseppe Ricciotti that I finished reading recently: The Life of Christ. It is an exhilarating book that can truly be read in one sitting, a book where historical science, religion and poetry are wonderfully fused together. With this work by Ricciotti, Italy has perhaps reached another milestone.
I send you my cordial greetings.
MUSSOLINI
