Britain's withdrawal from the European Union on Friday heralds a "sad and historic" night, economy commissioner Paolo Gentiloni tweeted on Friday.
"At midnight, Britain leaves the EU. It will be an historic and sad night. May those who love Europe wake up stronger and with greater faith in it," read the tweet.
Brexit follows a referendum on 23 June 2016, in which 51.89% of voters opted to leave the EU. Britain joined the bloc in 1973 and voted to remain a member a 1975 referendum with 67% of voters in favour.
