Robert De Niro receives Rome's highest civilian honor in Italy.

Robert De Niro, 82, was honored on Thursday (6) in Rome with the Capitoline Wolf, the highest civilian honor of the Italian capital.

The award was presented by Mayor Roberto Gualtieri during an official ceremony at the city hall, atop Monte Capitolino.

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The actor, born in New York and of Italian descent, was honored for his body of work. According to Gualtieri, De Niro "shaped the history of world cinema" and is "a reference in contemporary cinema."

The award highlights the artist's contribution to culture. De Niro is known for memorable roles in films such as The Godfather II, Indomitable Bull e The Good Companions.

Upon receiving the honor, De Niro stated that Rome “is more than a city, it’s a living work of art.” He highlighted his personal connection to Italy: “My family has roots here, so this recognition has a personal meaning for me.”

The actor's paternal grandfather was from the Molise region in the south of the country.The father, also an artist, had Italian and Irish ancestry.

A prestigious career path

With a career spanning more than five decades, De Niro has won two Academy Awards. His acting is considered a benchmark by several generations of filmmakers and actors.

According to the Rome city hall, choosing the name of the Italian-American actor reinforces the city's commitment to promoting the arts and global culture.