The EU flags fly at half-mast as a tribute to European Parliament President David Sassoli, outside the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 11, 2022.(Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)
BRUSSELS, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- European Parliament President David Sassoli died at age 65 at a hospital in Italy early Tuesday, his spokesperson has said.
"David Sassoli passed away at 1:15 a.m. (0015 GMT) on 11 January at the CRO in Aviano, Italy, where he was hospitalized. The date and place of the funeral will be communicated in the next few hours," spokesperson Roberto Cuillo tweeted.
Sassoli, born on May 30, 1956, in Florence, Italy, had been hospitalized for more than two weeks due to a serious complication relating to immune system dysfunction.
On Monday, his office had announced the cancellation of all his official activities.
He began his career as a journalist at local newspapers and news agencies, before moving to the editorial office of the daily Il Giorno in Rome, and then became a television news reporter.
Sassoli was elected to the European Parliament in 2009. He became president of the European Parliament in 2019 and his term of office would have expired in days.
"I am deeply saddened by the terrible loss of a great European and proud Italian," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Twitter. "David Sassoli was a compassionate journalist, an outstanding President of the European Parliament and, first and foremost, a dear friend." ■
File photo dated March 8, 2021 shows European Parliament President David Sassoli delivering a speech at an event marking the International Women's Day, in Brussels, Belgium. European Parliament President David Sassoli died at age 65 at a hospital in Italy early Tuesday, his spokesperson has said. (European Union/Handout via Xinhua)
File photo dated March 8, 2021 shows European Parliament President David Sassoli delivering a speech at an event marking the International Women's Day, in Brussels, Belgium. European Parliament President David Sassoli died at age 65 at a hospital in Italy early Tuesday, his spokesperson has said. (European Union/Handout via Xinhua)
People observe a moment of silence in memory of late European Parliament President David Sassoli, in front of the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)
People hug each other after observing a moment of silence in memory of late European Parliament President David Sassoli, in front of the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)
People observe a moment of silence in memory of late European Parliament President David Sassoli, in front of the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)
People react after observing a moment of silence in memory of late European Parliament President David Sassoli, in front of the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, Jan. 11, 2022. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)
