Pope Leo XIV is visiting Italy's infamous 'Land of Fires' on Saturday, meeting families who have lost children to cancer linked to a multi-billion euro mafia racket involving the illegal dumping of toxic waste. The pastoral visit to the area around Naples, known as Terra dei Fuochi, comes on the eve of the 11th anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark ecological encyclical Laudato Si, signaling Leo's commitment to environmental issues.
Background of the Crisis
The European Court of Human Rights last year validated complaints from residents that the Camorra crime syndicate's dumping, burial, and burning of toxic waste led to elevated cancer rates and other illnesses across 90 municipalities around Caserta and Naples, affecting 2.9 million people. The court found that Italian authorities had known about the pollution since 1988 but failed to protect residents. Italy has two years to establish a database on the toxic waste and verified health risks.
Meeting with Families
In Acerra, a city of 58,000, the pope will meet families who lost young relatives to cancer. Bishop Antonio Di Donna noted that around 150 young people have died in the past three decades. 'These children and young people who have died are victims of environmental pollution,' he said, stressing the link between pollution and cancer incidence.
Among the victims is Maria Venturato, who died at 25 in 2016. Her father Angelo hopes to speak with the pope for the sake of future generations. 'I'd like to give these young people a future, so I'm asking for the pope's help... to go to those in power and say, “Let’s heal this land of fires,”' he said.
Filomena Carolla plans to present the pope with a book about her daughter Tina De Angelis, who died at 24. 'I’m just angry at the people who poisoned the soil, because what did our children have to do with it?' she said.
Pope Francis' Unfulfilled Visit
Pope Francis had planned to visit the area in 2020, but the trip was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Leo's visit underscores the Vatican's ongoing concern for environmental justice and the plight of communities affected by pollution.
