A national day of mourning has been held in Italy to honor the more than 100,000 victims of COVID-19.  

Prime Minister Mario Draghi said that, despite the sadness, the country must find strength and hope as it battles a devastating third wave of infection.

In a symbol of regeneration, the first tree was planted in the "Forest of Remembrance" next to the Bergamo hospital, where so many lost their battle against COVID-19.   

READ MORE:

Secrets of 'world's first computer' revealed

Refugees on life in Germany

Why has AstraZeneca's jab been suspended?

Local Mayor Giorgio Gori said it was a project for the future. "We decided to honor the memory of the victims with a living artwork, with a monument that breathes."  

After laying a wreath at the Bergamo cemetery, Draghi urged the country to remain united. "We can't embrace, but today we must feel as united as possible," he said. 

One year ago, Bergamo, in the Lombardy region, became a symbol of human suffering and the desperate fight against the pandemic. Images of people on ventilators and army convoys, needed to cope with the sheer number of casualties, went viral. 

Lombardy is once again the epicenter of the country's latest wave of infections. On Wednesday, there were 23,000 new cases of the virus and 431 deaths. Hospitals in Italy's red zones (the label given to the worst-affected areas) are overflowing with patients. 

"We dreamt that this day would mark the end of a long and painful page of the pandemic, but infections are on the rise and new restrictions are in place," said Gori. 

Draghi took the opportunity to pay tribute to Italy's front-line workers, while pledging to accelerate the country's vaccination plan, to cover 80 percent of the population by September.

"I am here today to say thank you and I will dedicate myself, together with you all, to reconstruct the country without forgetting," he said. 

A sentiment shared by Gori: "In the memory of loved ones who are no longer here, we must be strong and work together to build a better future." 

Crucial words of faith amid yet another state of emergency.