Pope Leo XIV Visits Italy’s “Land of Fires” to Confront Toxic-Waste Crisis

On 23 May 2026, Pope Leo XIV travelled to Acerra in Campania, the heart of the “Land of Fires” (Terra dei Fuochi), to meet victims of toxic-waste pollution. The trip coincided with the 11th anniversary of the encyclical Laudato Si and marked the pontiff’s first on-site presence in the area.

The Guardian

The Camorra mafia has run a four-decade illegal waste operation that buries, incinerates and burns hazardous material in Campania. In 2025 the European Court of Human Rights ruled Italian authorities knew of the contamination since 1988 but failed to protect residents, ordering a waste-site database within two years.

The Guardian

The zone spans 90 municipalities and roughly 2.9 million people. Bishop Antonio Di Donna cited 150 youth deaths in Acerra (? 58 000 residents) and noted cancer rates above the national average. New waste piles were reported near Caserta days before the papal visit.

The Guardian

Pope Leo XIV said his visit was to share the grief of those harmed by pollution and demand an end to impunity. Bishop Di Donna called the acts a crime and a sin, urging change. Mayors of the 90 towns pledged to dismantle criminal waste networks.

Mafia plus pollution-linked deaths: Pope brings consolation

Activist Luisa, 25, warned that without genuine political will decontamination would not have started, echoing community frustration over delayed clean-up. Residents also note the gap between the court-mandated database and its implementation.

Mafia plus pollution-linked deaths: Pope brings consolation

Angelo Venturato, whose daughter Maria died of cancer in 2016, asked the Pope to intervene for future generations. Filomena Carolla, who lost her 24-year-old daughter Tina, expressed anger that the soil was poisoned and questioned why children suffered.

The Guardian

The bishop’s 150 youth deaths exclude adult fatalities and deaths in the other 89 municipalities, leaving the total toll unclear. Although the European Court ordered a comprehensive waste-site database, the sources do not confirm its completion or any remediation.

The Guardian

• “I have come first of all to gather the tears of those who have lost loved ones, killed by environmental pollution caused by unscrupulous people and organisations who for too long were able to act with impunity,” — Pope Leo XIV

The Guardian

• “We say to those brothers of ours ensnared in evil and seized by a mirage of fabulous earnings: convert, change your ways, because what you are doing is not only a crime, it is a sin that cries out to God for vengeance,’’ the bishop said.” — Bishop Antonio Di Donna, Bishop of Acerra

The Guardian

• “If there were a genuine will to clean up the area, decontamination would already be underway,” — Luisa, 25-year-old activist from Acerra

Mafia plus pollution-linked deaths: Pope brings consolation

• “I’m making a strong appeal to him to go to those in power and say: ‘Look, let’s heal this land of fires,’” he said.” — Angelo Venturato, father of Maria Venturato

The Guardian

Italy must finalize the court-mandated waste-site database and launch a coordinated decontamination program for the 90 affected municipalities. Pope Leo XIV’s appeal for an “army of peace” and reduced consumerism aims to pressure authorities into concrete action before the next Laudato Si anniversary.

The Guardian