Pope Leo XIV denounces toxic waste crimes in Naples' 'Land of Fires'

Pope Leo XIV visited the ‘Land of Fires’ near Naples on Saturday. The trip marked the 11th anniversary of Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical. During his visit, he spoke out against decades of illegal toxic waste dumping by organised crime groups. The ‘Land of Fires’ has been a hotspot for illegal waste disposal since the late 1980s. Companies paid the Camorra mafia to dump and burn hazardous materials, including heavy metals, dioxins, and asbestos. These pollutants have seeped into the soil, groundwater, and air, particularly around Acerra.

The pope condemned the ‘deadly mix of obscure interests and indifference’ that allowed the crisis to persist. He met with local clergy and families affected by the contamination, acknowledging the region’s suffering. ‘This land has paid a heavy price,’ he said, noting that ‘many of its children have been buried’ due to pollution-related illnesses. The illegal dumping has been linked to unusually high cancer rates in the area. Authorities have long struggled to address the environmental and health consequences of the waste disposal.

The pope’s visit highlighted the ongoing impact of toxic waste in the ‘Land of Fires’. His remarks underscored the human cost of environmental crimes tied to organised crime. The region continues to face contamination challenges despite years of activism and scrutiny.