Italian President Sergio Mattarella speaks at the Presidential Palace in Rome after being re-elected in January 29, 2022. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

At the eighth round of balloting among more than 1,000 lawmakers and regional delegates in the Chamber of Deputies, loud applause broke out when Mattarella passed the 505 votes needed for election.

Speaking at the Presidential Palace shortly after being elected, Mattarella renewed his commitment to making every effort to meet the expectations of the Italian people.

He also said that the COVID-19 crisis, along with the socio-economic challenges facing Italy, were the reasons that prompted him to accept the proposal of the Parliament  to continue to hold the post of President.

Mattarella, 80, is the 12th President of Italy since the post was created on January 1, 1948, after the Italian people voted in a referendum to replace monarchy by republic.