He later became one of the founding fathers of the post-war Italian republic, says the BBC's David Willey in Rome.

BBC: Giulio Andreotti: Ex-Italian prime minister dies

All in all, and now that I think about it, I wonder whether I should be offended that it costs me more than the Italian Republic to borrow.

BBC: Who would you lend to �C Italy or Peston?

According to Openpolis, a research group, the average age of the cabinet is, at 64, the highest in the European Union and also in the history of the Italian republic.

ECONOMIST: A brief period of calm for Mario Monti, but storms loom

Me or the Italian Republic?

BBC: Who would you lend to �C Italy or Peston?

He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the United States and the titles of Commandant of the Legion of Honor in France, Honorary Knight of the British Empire, and both Grande Ufficiale and Cavaliere di Gran Croce of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.

UNESCO: Detailview | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

And Gap's high-end line, Banana Republic, has signed a five-year deal with Safilo Group, an Italian luxury-eyewear firm, to sell Banana Republic-branded frames and sunglasses in Safilo's Solstice stores, other retailers and possibly in department stores, too.

ECONOMIST: Retailing