Naples, – In a world that runs too fast, where indifference is the true enemy of the weak, the IX World Day of the Poor bursts forth as an urgent call to brotherhood.
On Sunday, November 16, Caritas Naples and the Carmelite Fathers open the doors of the Basilica of Maria SS. del Carmine Maggiore for an event that goes beyond charity: a community lunch with Cardinal Don Mimmo Battaglia, ready to sit at the table with those who life has relegated to the margins.
Established by Pope Francis, this day is not just an annual ritual, but a global warning: "Let us stop and look into the eyes of those who suffer," the Pontiff reiterated. In Naples, the appeal translates into concrete gestures, capable of weaving invisible threads between rich and poor, between those who give and those who receive.
The program is simple, yet rich in symbolism: at 11:30 a.m., a Eucharistic Celebration will enliven the Basilica in Piazza Carmine, with prayers and reflections inviting us to rediscover the face of Christ in the most vulnerable. Then, at 1:00 p.m., the highlight: a shared lunch in the Basilica's Cloister, where guests from the soup kitchen, Caritas volunteers, and Cardinal Battaglia will break bread together.
Not an isolated philanthropic gesture, but a bridge to human dignity in an age of rampant inequality. "This Day calls us to see Christ in the brother who knocks on our door," explains Sister Marisa Pitrella, director of Caritas Naples, her voice filled with passion.
Sharing the table with Don Mimmo is more than just a meal: it's Hope made flesh, an action that begins with an encounter and reaches straight to the heart. In a city like Naples, wounded but generous, it's the best way to say that no one is alone.
As the date approaches, anticipation grows: hundreds of participants will be present, including the faithful, the homeless, and social activists, united in a chorus of solidarity. This is an opportunity for Naples to show the world that poverty is not destiny, but a challenge to be overcome with bare hands—or, better yet, at a shared table.
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