STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Eltingville movie producer Julius R. Nasso has been knighted as a cavaliere of the Vatican.
The Vatican chose to bestow the title upon him as a result of his international philanthropy and his success in filmmaking.
FYI: The title of cavaliere is equivalent to the title of sir that’s bestowed upon those worthy by the Queen of England. Intended for the “elite of the elite,” it’s one of the highest honors presented to a civilian.
Nasso’s formal invitation, written entirely in Italian, came directly from the Vatican. It indicated the desire to knight Nasso as cavaliere of the Vatican during a solemn ceremony conducted by Bishop Gianfranco Girotti.
“It was truly an honor to receive such a prestigious religious award from the Vatican,” said Nasso, a 20-year member of the Directors Guild of America.
In addition to his charitable endeavors, Nasso has contributed to humanitarian non-governmentalagencies like Samaritan’s Purse, which provides spiritual and physical aid to people around the world.
A second ceremony is expected to take place in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan.
Nasso recently hosted an “Evening Under the Stars” at Villa Terranova, his Eltingville estate, with proceeds earmarked for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
As if all of the above weren’t enough to keep Nasso busy, he’s also helped produce the Andrea Bocelli Foundation (ABF) concerts in Italy over the last five years.
The mission of ABF is to empower people and communities in situations of poverty, illiteracy and distress by promoting and supporting national and international projects that seek to overcome these barriers.
Nasso anticipates producing Bocelli’s concert tour throughout China next year
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