Pope Francis Visits Italy's 'Land of Fires' to Address Environmental Crisis

Pope Francis departed the Vatican by helicopter Friday morning for a pastoral visit to Acerra, a town in the Naples region known as the "Land of Fires" due to severe environmental pollution. He arrived to meet with local communities who have long suffered the consequences of illegal waste dumping and industrial pollution, which have led to significant health problems and environmental degradation. Approximately 12,000 faithful were reported to be awaiting his arrival on the streets of Acerra.

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This morning Acerra becomes the center. We have suffered this curse that goes by the name of Land of Fires. It is only one thing that must be said: 'never again, never again'. From our suffering, everyone else must learn.

Don Maurizio Patriciello, the parish priest of Caivano and a prominent advocate for environmental justice, spoke about the significance of the Pope's visit. He emphasized that Acerra is now the center of attention, hoping the suffering caused by the "curse" of the Land of Fires will lead to a collective "never again." Don Patriciello stressed that lessons must be learned from their pain to prevent future environmental disasters. He highlighted the ongoing struggle against pollution and the need for accountability from industrialists who he accused of prioritizing cost savings over environmental protection and public health.

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I have not yet spoken with the Holy Father, but the bishop of Acerra will surely explain the situation to him.

Don Patriciello expressed his hope that the Pope's visit would bring attention to the urgent need to halt the "desecration" of the land. He stated that industrialists "cannot continue to produce and then, to save costs, go and pollute the lands and kill people." He differentiated between those who denied the existence of the Land of Fires for economic gain, urging them to feel shame and seek forgiveness, and those who acted out of ignorance, for whom he offered an open hand. The priest recounted how the cries of the suffering people were ignored for years, noting that Italy only enacted a law against environmental crimes in 2015, previously lacking legal recourse against "eco-criminals" and "eco-mafiosi."

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The industrialists cannot continue to produce and then for saving costs go and pollute the lands and kill people: this they cannot do. Enough.

Recalling a conversation with a repentant mafia informant, Schiavone, Don Patriciello shared that industrialists from northern Italy allegedly collaborated with the Camorra (mafia) for toxic waste disposal. The informant reportedly indicated that while drug trafficking carried risks, burying toxic waste offered substantial profits with minimal risk. The Pope's visit underscores the deep-seated environmental and social issues plaguing the region, bringing a powerful voice to the community's long-standing fight for environmental justice and public health.

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He told me that it was them, the industrialists from the north, who sought out the Camorra - and that they had told them that while trafficking drugs they risked, while with the 'munnezza' (garbage), burying toxic waste, they earned a lot without risks.