Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has called on people in southern Italy to take responsibility for protecting life, the environment, and future generations during a pastoral visit to the town of Acerra, an area long affected by pollution and illegal waste dumping.
Addressing local residents and civic leaders on Saturday, the Pope said his visit was meant to encourage people who continue to defend life and dignity in a region that has suffered greatly from environmental destruction and criminal activity.
Acerra is located in the area commonly known as the “Land of Fires,” a region near Naples that became infamous because of illegal dumping and burning of toxic waste over many years. The pollution has been linked to serious health problems among local communities, including children.
Speaking to the crowd, Pope Leo said the beauty of the region could not be erased by injustice. He stressed that fragile beauty calls for care and responsibility from everyone. He said people must choose life and reject attitudes of resignation, compromise, and indifference.
Earlier in the day, the Pope met family members of people believed to have died because of illnesses connected to pollution in the region. He acknowledged the pain and suffering experienced by many families and said the tragedy should move society toward a new path based on justice, ethical action, and responsibility.
Pope Leo also warned against what he called the “desertification of consciences,” saying that blaming others and refusing to act only creates more space for crime and illegality. He urged citizens, leaders, and institutions to work together for the common good rather than for private interests or financial gain.
During his speech, the Pope repeatedly referred to the environmental teachings of Pope Francis, especially the encyclical Laudato si’. He praised bishops, priests, religious communities, and lay faithful who had already taken steps to promote environmental awareness and social responsibility in the region.
The Pope stressed that real change requires a transformation in economic, civic, and religious attitudes. He said society must learn to value relationships, the common good, and care for the land more than wealth and personal gain. He also criticized a model of growth that focuses only on profit while damaging nature and human health.
Education was another major focus of the Pope’s message. He said both young people and adults must continue learning and growing in responsibility. According to him, creating a better future is possible only when communities work together and remain open to change.
Pope Leo encouraged local organizations and institutions to strengthen their cooperation in order to oppose criminal networks and promote positive social development. He thanked those who first exposed the environmental crimes affecting the area and called them courageous pioneers.
In his closing remarks, the Pope urged people to protect creation in the same way they would protect their own homes. He said communities must reject practices that poison the earth, water, air, and human relationships. He also encouraged residents to remain hopeful and continue building strong and caring communities despite the challenges they face.
The visit to Acerra is seen as one of the strongest environmental messages delivered by Pope Leo XIV since the beginning of his pontificate. It also reflects the Vatican’s continued emphasis on ecological justice, human dignity, and the responsibility of societies to protect both people and nature.