“Hello, I'm the Pope”, the Pope calls the ex-DJ priest to the rave in Naples.
“Hello, it's not a joke, I'm the Pope.” Thus the Pontiff began by calling Don Michele Madonna, 48 years old, Neapolitan parish priest of the community of Santa Maria di Montesanto, a former disc jockey, known for his innovative youth pastoral activities such as the "rave" a month ago in which hundreds of young people participated, dancing all night to Christian music remixed in disco style alternating with moments of community prayer.
The phone call took place on Thursday, August 4, but Don Michele – very active on social media – has so far refused to publicly discuss the episode, which was leaked today by the small circle of collaborators who learned of it.
The Pope spoke with the parish priest, asking him for details on his activities – which in recent months have received wide coverage in the media, not only Catholic – and recommending that he keep him informed about his work in the future. Don Michele Madonna, born in 1974, became a priest at the age of 30.
Son of a nightclub owner, he was a DJ until he was 23 and now he offers many pastoral initiatives outside of traditional schemes to young people and those who are 'distant', such as confessions held along the streets of the neighborhood, precisely to reach out to those who do not usually go to church.
Its territory is populous and difficult: in the Montesanto district, last month, the episode of the 12-year-old girl disfigured in the face by her 16-year-old ex-boyfriend caused a stir.
Article published on 6 August 2022 - 21:24
