Acerra Welcomes Pope Leo XIV: ISPRA and SNPA Reaffirm Their Commitment to the “Terra dei Fuochi”

The President of ISPRA and SNPA, Maria Alessandra Gallone, the Director General of ISPRA, Maria Siclari, and the Heads of the Emergency and Remediation Center, Claudio Numa and Federico Araneo, were present in Acerra for the visit of Pope Leo XIV to the “Terra dei Fuochi”

Also in attendance were the highest State authorities, including the Undersecretary to the Presidency of the Council Alfredo Mantovano, Deputy Minister for the Environment Vannia Gava, the Sole Commissioner for Remediation Giuseppe Vadalà, and the Prefects of Naples Michele Di Bari and Caserta Lucia Volpe, demonstrating the concrete closeness of the institutions to a territory that for years has faced the consequences of environmental crime and continues to call for protection, restoration, and a sustainable future.

Following the Law of 9 May 2025, ISPRA has been entrusted with specific tasks related to monitoring the activities carried out by the Sole Commissioner for the “Terra dei Fuochi” with the requirement to publish the results in a dedicated section of ISPRA’s institutional website, ensuring the broadest possible access to data for civil society and interested stakeholders.

In particular, the activities concern:

the survey of environmental investigation, site characterization, safety measures, and remediation interventions;
initiatives aimed at ensuring the safety and healthiness of agri-food products;
environmental and health monitoring of the affected populations;
interventions for the removal of illegally abandoned waste.

The National System for Environmental Protection is committed to ensuring monitoring, control, and scientific support activities by making available expertise, data, and technologies to support the environmental remediation process and strengthen the relationship of trust between institutions and citizens.

Today’s presence represents a concrete sign of attention toward a wounded land, as well as evidence of the State’s commitment to building conditions of greater environmental safety, transparency, and protection of public health.

Maria Alessandra Gallone, President of ISPRA and SNPA: “The Holy Father’s message calls on all of us to embrace a profound responsibility toward people, territories, and future generations. ISPRA and the National System will continue to carry out their mission with scientific rigor, a spirit of service, and full closeness to local communities”.