Caivano, Father Patriciello on the Pino Daniele Sports Center: "Today it's a wonderful place."

"I'm overjoyed." These are the words of Don Maurizio Patriciello, describing the transformation of the "Pino Daniele" Sports Center in Caivano, a facility that had been abandoned to decay for years and which today, the parish priest of Parco Verde emphasizes, has once again become a space for children, athletes, and residents.

In a lengthy message posted on social media, Father Patriciello recalls the conditions the center faced until 2023. "This jewel had been reduced to a landfill. Waste. Destruction. Rubble. Devastation. Even a young man who had died of an overdose was found. A desert. For all to see."

The priest speaks of "fires, stench, poison," and says he began a long battle to attract the attention of the institutions. "I couldn't accept it. I couldn't believe my eyes. I did everything I could to attract the attention of the powerful. I was mocked and criticized."

Don Patriciello acknowledges the work he carried out with the parish community, the bishop of Aversa, and numerous citizens. "I shouted out my dismay. Every day I went to that horrendous place. I photographed, filmed, recorded. I sent it to everyone: priests, bishops, politicians, parliamentarians, ministers, journalists, intellectuals, professionals, ordinary people."

His requests for intervention, he says, reached all the way to the Vatican. "Even the Pope received my pleas for help. I was certain of it. Hope never abandoned me."

Then came the turning point, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's visit to Caivano on August 31, 2023. "The Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, accepted my invitation. She came to my parish with half the government. She listened. She committed. She promised. She kept her promise."

Since then, according to the priest's account, the face of the area has changed radically. "The desert has blossomed. In the steppe, a flower has bloomed. Death has given birth to life."

Today, watching the images of the Sports Center being brought back to life, Don Patriciello's satisfaction gives way to emotion. "I saw dozens of children, athletes, the mayor of Caivano, teachers, and various other dignitaries inside the Pino Daniele Sports Center on television. It's a wonderful place today."

The priest then dedicated the result to the community, and especially to the young people. "I did it for you guys. I did it for you, city of Caivano. I did it because I believe that good always wins. And today, once again, good has won."

The message ends with an invitation not to lower our guard and to continue to work for the territory: "Thanks to all those who do not give up. But dare. Let us continue to dare, hope, protest, denounce, work, pray."