Pope Leo XIV meets on Saturday with families in Italy’s Campania region who say they lost children and young people to toxic waste dumped illegally near Naples, an area often referred to as the “Land of Fires” (Terra dei Fuochi). Multiple outlets report that during the pastoral visit, the Pope greets families one by one and hears personal accounts from residents. Families share photographs and mementos of children who have died or who, they say, are battling cancer and other illnesses linked to pollution in the area.
Several reports connect the illegal dumping to an organized criminal operation, describing it as a multi-billion euro racket run by the mafia, though details of evidence and prosecutions are not elaborated in the excerpts. The Independent, ABC News, and other outlets characterize the visit as part of families’ efforts to seek justice for those affected. The visit also takes place on the eve of the 11th anniversary of Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical “Laudato Si,” as noted by The Hindu and The Guardian, highlighting continuity with the Catholic Church’s environmental agenda.
Overall, sources agree on the location, the nature of families’ grievances, and that the Pope’s engagement is pastoral and centered on affected residents.
