Pope Leo traveled to Acerra, Italy, on May 23, 2026, to denounce corporate greed fueling environmental pollution in a region plagued by toxic waste dumping [1, 2, 3]. Acerra lies about 220 kilometers south of Rome near Naples in an area known as the 'Land of Fires' and the 'Triangle of Death' due to elevated cancer rates linked to decades of illegal waste disposal [1, 2, 3].
Speaking to residents and victims of pollution-related illnesses, Pope Leo said the "dizzying profits of a few, blind to the needs of people, their work and their future" stands behind the environmental crisis [3]. He called on the world to "reject temptations of power and enrichment linked to practices that pollute the land, water, air, and social coexistence" [1]. He also highlighted that "unscrupulous people and organisations have been allowed to act with impunity for too long" [2]. The pope gathered the tears of families who had lost loved ones to related illnesses during his visit [2].
The European Court of Human Rights ruled in January 2025 that Italian authorities had failed to protect residents from illegal waste dumping since at least 1988. The court set a two-year deadline for Italy to establish a comprehensive database of toxic waste sites and publicly share associated risks [1, 3].
In response, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni appointed an Italian general in February 2025 to lead a task force focused on assisting victims and pursuing environmental cleanup [1, 3]. For years, waste collection in southern Italy was controlled by a small network of private owners linked to the Camorra mafia near Naples [1, 3].
Pope Leo’s visit continues the scrutiny on environmental justice amid ongoing government efforts. He is scheduled to release his first major encyclical on May 25, 2026, covering topics including artificial intelligence, warfare, and workers’ rights, reaching the global Catholic population of 1.4 billion [1, 3].
