To match feature FINANCIAL-ITALY/POOR
Free meals are served in a “soup kitchen” run by the Sant’Egidio Christian community in Rome September 17, 2008. The euro zone’s third largest economy, Italy has been one of its most sluggish performers for more than a decade, and has suffered more than most of its partners from surging oil prices, a strong currency and the international slowdown. Statistics show that Italy is growing older and poorer while the economy underperforms its European peers. To match feature FINANCIAL-ITALY/POOR REUTERS/Tony Gentile (ITALY)