Editing Emilio Colombo (section)

==Early life and education==
Colombo was born in [[Potenza]], [[Basilicata]], on 11 April 1920.<ref name=Sen>[http://www.senato.it/leg/16/BGT/Schede/Attsen/00000638.htm Page at Senate website] {{in lang|it}}</ref> He grew up, along with his six brothers, in a middle-class family; his father, Angelo Colombo, was a public administration's official, while his mother, Rosa Tordella, was a housewife.<ref>[https://www.centenarioemiliocolombo.it/emilio-colombo/ Emilio Colombo], ''Centenario Emilio Colombo''</ref>

In 1935, he founded the first local section of [[Azione Cattolica|Catholic Action]] (AC), a widespread Catholic association and one of the few non-fascist organizations, admitted by the regime of [[Benito Mussolini]]. In 1937, Colombo became the president of Potenza's Catholic Action and a member of the National Council of Catholic Action's Youth. In the same year, he obtained the [[classical lyceum]] diploma at the high school entitled to [[Quintus Horatius Flaccus]] in Potenza.

In 1941, Colombo graduated in law at the [[Sapienza University of Rome]], with a thesis on [[canon law]].<ref name=mofabio>{{cite web|title=Emilio Colombo|url=http://www.esteri.it/MAE/EN/Ministero/IL_MAE/Ministri_Esteri/Emilio_Colombo.htm|publisher=Ministry of Foreign Affairs|access-date=22 April 2013}}</ref> On 1 August 1942, he was enrolled and took part in the [[World War II]]. In September 1943, after the armistice, Colombo returned to Basilicata, starting his political commitment based on [[anti-fascist]] and [[Christian democratic]] principles. From 1944 to 1947, he was appointed general secretary of [[Azione Cattolica]]'s youth wing.