Italy should be proud of abducted Italian aid worker Silva Romano, head of state Sergio Mattarella stated on Wednesday, saying the country hoped she would soon be freed.
"Silvia Romano and many other volunteers like her who travel to dangerous places are a source of pride for Italy," Mattarella said at the presidential palace in Rome.
"We hope to see her soon back in Italy," Mattarella added.
He made the remarks at a traditional exchange of Christmas greetings at the presidential Quirinale Palace in Rome by the country's top office-bearers.
The Italian government is trying to negotiate the release of Romano, 23, was kidnapped on 20 November in an armed attack in a coastal area of Kilifi County, 80 kilometres from Malindi. She volunteers for the Africa Milele NGO based in Torno in Italy's eastern March region.
It is not known whether the men who kidnapped Romano are members of a local gang aiming to get a ransom or are linked to the Islamist militant group al-Shabab.
