Foreign News: God & Man in Florence

On the day he became mayor of Florence six years ago, bustling Giorgio La Pira summoned a city official and announced: "Your only preoccupation will be to employ for the city as many jobless as possible." When the official uneasily remarked that city funds were already overdrawn, La Pira blithely replied: "This town is dedicated to God. He never worried about money and neither shall we."

True to his word, devout little Giorgio La Pira has kept Florence on the verge of municipal bankruptcy ever since and, in the process, made himself the idol of the Florentine masses. A year ago, largely...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!