Eleven years after the publication of Laudato si' (24 May 2015), Leo XIV celebrates the anniversary of Pope Francis' ecological encyclical in Acerra , with the faithful who live in the Land of Fires.
Today Leone is in the territories between Naples and Caserta , in the places that had touched the heart of Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 2014, when he was moved by flying over them and "from then on it was a crescendo through the news, a slow awareness", revealed the Argentine Pontiff in a book-length interview.
"Protecting creation and protecting human life from the pollution of our common home are urgent and a duty for the faith of believers," observes Bishop Antonio Di Donna in the columns of the Osservatore Romano. Leone's presence in Acerra will be "a special caress from God for the families tragically affected by the environmental humanitarian tragedy, which has caused the deaths of their children, young people and adolescents," the prelate confesses, recalling that "it all began with their cry of pain: bishops, priests, and parish priests have touched firsthand the wounded flesh of these fathers and mothers, a large representation of whom we will present to the Pontiff in the cathedral."
«I have come first and foremost to gather the tears of those who have lost loved ones , killed by environmental pollution caused by unscrupulous individuals and organizations, who for too long have been able to act with impunity – said Leo XIV in the Cathedral of Acerra, speaking to the families of the victims – I am here, however, also to thank those who have responded to evil with good , especially a Church that has dared to denounce and prophesy, to gather the people in hope».
In his speech, Leo XIV first wanted to thank "those who responded to evil with good" and emphasized that "the time has passed to look the other way and run for cover", but above all that "not all is lost".
After the speech in the cathedral, Robert Prevost will transfer by car to Piazza Calipari for the meeting with the mayors and faithful of the various municipalities of the Land of Fires where he will then deliver his second speech.
(Unioneonline/vl)
