Assisi Web Site Brings Out the Poet in Roberto Benigni

Like hundreds of others, the comedian and film director responded to the initiative launched on the Internet site of the Conventual Friars (www.sanfrancescoassisi.org), by sending "an e-mail message of peace," said Father Enzo Fortunato, director of the convent's press office.

When he opened his e-mail messages on Wednesday, Father Fortunato was surprised to find a poem sent by Benigni himself.

Following is the text of the poem:

"Se metti le quattro iniziali (Should we join together these four initials)

Delle virtu che sopra ho diviso (Of the virtues which I above have divided)

Ne Nasce un'altra che vola senz'ali (Another is born which wingless soars)

Verso le porte del Paradiso" (Upward toward heaven's doors).

By following the poem's instructions, the reader writes the Italian word "pace" (peace).