Naples. Once again, the Archbishop of Naples, Mimmo Battaglia, has taken to the streets to appeal to the city's youth: "Lay down your weapons, abandon the logic of oppression and arrogance." He did so during his heartfelt homily at the funeral of Emanuele Tufano, the 15-year-old killed in a shootout between groups of young people a week ago.
"Enough with broken promises, enough with the violence that destroys innocent lives," thundered the prelate, forcefully denouncing the indifference and criminality plaguing Naples. Battaglia's words, spoken in a church packed with faithful, deeply touched the entire community.
"We can no longer ignore what is happening," the archbishop said, emphasizing the urgency of radical change. "It's time to act, to distance ourselves from a sick system that sacrifices our young people on the altar of indifference."
The death of Emanuele It has shaken consciences, but it is only the latest in a long series of violent episodes that have marked the city. Battaglia called on everyone, institutions and citizens, to do their part to build a better future, a future where young people can grow up in safety and hope.
"Enough with policies that don't put children at the center," the archbishop continued, making a heartfelt appeal to institutions to adopt concrete measures to combat crime and promote education and opportunities for young people.
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It was a stern warning against indifference, even from politics, which distracts from tragedies by "talking about a city that only partially exists, taking refuge in tourism numbers, in protocols implemented, turning a blind eye to this madness of an adult world that no longer sees its youngest and most fragile children."
Monsignor Battaglia addressed Emanuele's friends: "I beg you, as a father, to choose life."
During his homily, Battaglia frequently addressed the many young people present in the church, and especially Emanuele's friends. "I am here for all of you," he assured them. "To you I say, imploring you as a father: choose life, despise violence, distance yourself from the criminal models proposed to you, love, serve, protect life—your life, the lives of others—disarm your hearts and hands, disarm your words and thoughts."
Battaglia then invites us to "celebrate life, which is only one. You must celebrate it," he continues, "with the beauty of your luminous joy and not with the sneer of arrogance and oppression. Live life to the fullest, don't waste it, respect it in yourselves and in others. Love it, love one another, dream, walk together, side by side, building a more fraternal, inclusive, and peaceful city."
