ROME — Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti announced Friday he is heading a new campaign coalition of centrists, business leaders, and pro-Vatican forces backing his ‘‘ethical’’ vision of politics, paving the way for him to get a second term if his alliance wins big in February’s parliamentary elections.

After a four-hour huddle with supporters, Monti stopped short of saying he is running as a candidate for the premiership but said the ballot list would carry the banner ‘‘Monti Agenda for Italy.’’