Italy: Pope Leo XIV visits Italy’s polluted ‘Land of Fires’.

SHOTLIST ACERRA, ITALY (MAY 23, 2026) 1. CLOSE-UP OF SIGNS ON FENCE READING "WELCOME TO ACERRA POPE LEO XIV" 2. PEOPLE PASSING THROUGH A WALKWAY FORMED WITH METAL BARRIERS IN CALIPARI SQUARE 3. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE CRAMMED BEHIND THE METAL BARRIERS WAITING FOR THE POPE'S ARRIVAL 4. CLOSE-UP OF A PORTRAIT OF POPE LEO PRINTED ON WOMAN'S T-SHIRT 5. METAL GATE DECORATED WITH BALLOONS 6. WIDE SHOT OF WOMAN LOOKING AROUND FROM THE WINDOW 7. WOMAN ON BALCONY DECORATED WITH VATICAN FLAG, LARGE BANNER READING "WELCOME TO ACERRA POPE LEO XIV" 8. MUSICIANS PERFORMING ON STAGE 9. PEOPLE, MANY WEARING YELLOW AND WHITE HATS, CRAMMED BEHIND THE METAL BARRIERS 10. SECURITY OFFICERS STANDING GUARD IN FRONT OF LARGE BANNER BEARING PICTURE OF POPE LEO 11. VARIOUS OF POPE LEO XIV ADDRESSING PEOPLE AT CALIPARI SQUARE 12. POPE LEO SHAKING HANDS WITH PEOPLE ON STAGE 13. LARGE SCREEN BEHIND PEOPLE, MANY ON WHEELCHAIRS, SHOWING POPE GREETING PEOPLE 14. CROWD MOVING IN FRONT OF STAGE AS MUSICIANS PERFORM ACERRA, ITALY - MAY 23: Pope Leo XIV visited Italy’s so-called “Land of Fires” region on Saturday, an area near Naples long associated with illegal toxic waste dumping and environmental pollution. The pontiff traveled to the southern Campania region, where hazardous waste has reportedly been buried or burned for decades, contaminating soil, groundwater and air. At Calipari Square in Acerra, Pope Leo XIV addressed clergy members and families affected by environmental pollution during his visit. The area, also known as the “Triangle of Death,” has faced high cancer rates linked to pollution and illegal waste disposal since the late 1980s. In 2025, Europe’s top human rights court ruled that Italy had failed to adequately protect residents in the affected region and ordered authorities to take action. The visit coincided with the 11th anniversary of a major climate manifesto issued by Pope Francis.