Pope Leo's pastoral visit to Acerra

Maria Montemayor

Thursday, May 21, 2026

Panoramic view of Acerra, Napoli, Italy. Photo by Wikimedia Commons

On Saturday, May 23, the eve of the 11th anniversary of the publication of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato si’, Pope Leo XIV will make a pastoral visit to the ancient city of Acerra. The large suburb of Naples currently has a population of about 58,545 people. Acerra comes from the Latin word acer, which means “maple tree” and the city indeed has many maple trees.

The town is also part of an area known informally as the “Land of Fires” or the “Triangle of Death.” The region, marked by poverty, experienced over four decades of illegal toxic waste dumping and burning by Camorra, an organized crime syndicate based in Naples. Chemical, industrial, and radioactive waste was burned in fields, buried underground, or illegally dumped along farmland and the sides of the roads.

Acerra was struck the hardest. Inhabitants were exposed to toxic fumes and contaminated soil and water which led to high cancer rates, infertility, respiratory and degenerative diseases, and congenital malformations. The types of cancer include leukemia, lymphoma, lung cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, and bladder and rare bone cancers. Many people died. Even today, residents are impacted by the aftermath of the pollution.

With its devastating history, Acerra is an apt location for Pope Leo XIV to discuss the importance of ecological and environmental stewardship and sustainability. He may reference Laudato si’ and suggest ways that we as Christians can take better care of our planet. In the encyclical, subtitled “On Care for Our Common Home,” Pope Francis asks, “What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?” (#160). If we don’t take environmental care seriously now, it could have severe consequences long-term for future generations.

Pope Leo XIV may also encourage the civil leaders and residents of Acerra and around the world to keep advocating for the community and for environmental justice. Pollution affects not just people; it also affects animals and ecosystems. Not only should we be aware of its impact but also on the ways to prevent further harm, alleviate any damages, and restore biodiversity. Pope Leo XIV will be the first pope to visit Acerra and meet with families who have lost loved ones or been affected themselves by pollution and toxic waste. He will surely convey God’s and the Church’s pastoral closeness to the families.