At the end of the meeting with the clergy and consecrated men and women in Naples Cathedral, Pope Leo XIV transferred to Piazza del Plebiscito by car for the meeting with the citizenry.

Upon arrival, at around 16.30, after a tour by popemobile, the Holy Father greeted the Community of the Minim Fathers and some authorities present in the Basilica of Saint Francis de Paul, and then took his place on the steps for the meeting.

After the words of welcome from His Eminence Cardinal Domenico Battaglia, archbishop of Naples, the greeting from Dr. Gaetano Manfredi, mayor of Naples, two testimonies and a short performance by members of the youth ministry, the Pope delivered his address.

Then, before leaving Piazza del Plebiscito, after the Act of entrustment to the Virgin Mary and the Blessing, Leo XIV gave a short greeting to those present.

The Pope then transferred by car to the Rotonda Diaz. After taking leave of the authorities who had received him on his arrival in Naples, the Holy Father departed by helicopter at 18.53, in order to return to the Vatican.

The helicopter landed at the Vatican heliport at 19.38.

The following is the address delivered by Pope Leo XIV during the meeting with the citizenry:

Address of the Holy Father

Brothers and sisters, thank you for your warm welcome!

This embrace, of this square, is a little like the Colonnade of Saint Peter’s Square in Rome: you know how to welcome with this warmth! Thank you very much!

I thank the Lord Mayor for the words he addressed to me, I greet all the civil and military authorities present, and I renew my gratitude to His Eminence the Archbishop and all those of you gathered here.

Against the backdrop of the Gospel scene of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, a series of voices have taken turns to introduce us to this wonderful gathering of ours. These are the voices of Naples, the pearl of the Mediterranean watched over from above by Vesuvius; voices in which echoes the ancient beauty of this city, bathed by the sea and kissed by the sun, yet in which there is also room for wounds, poverty and fears. These voices tell of a Naples that often walks wearily, disoriented and disappointed, like the two disciples in the Gospel, in need of the closeness offered to them by Jesus; voices of a people who, even today, feel the need to pause and ask themselves: what really matters?

Brothers and sisters, in this city there is a yearning for life, justice and goodness that cannot be overcome by evil, discouragement and resignation. This is why it is necessary that – not alone, but together – we ask ourselves: what really matters? What is necessary and important to resume our journey with the momentum of commitment rather than the weariness of indifference, with the courage of goodness rather than the fear of evil, with the healing of wounds rather than indifference?

Naples is currently facing a stark paradox: the significant rise in tourist numbers has failed to generate an economic dynamism capable of truly engaging the entire community. The city remains marked by a social divide that no longer separates the centre from the suburbs, but is evident within every area, with “peripheries of the mind” nestled even in the heart of the historic centre. In many areas, one can see a veritable geography of inequality and poverty, fuelled by long-standing unresolved problems: income disparity, poor job prospects, a lack of adequate facilities and services, the pervasive presence of crime, the scourge of unemployment, early school leaving and other situations that weigh heavily on the lives of many people. Faced with these situations, which at times assume worrying dimensions, the presence and the action of the State is more necessary than ever, to provide security and confidence to citizens and to curb organized crime.

In this context, there are many Neapolitans who harbour the desire for a city redeemed from evil and healed of its wounds. Often these are true social heroes, women and men who devote themselves every day with dedication, sometimes simply by faithfully carrying out their duty, without seeking the limelight, so that justice, truth and beauty may prevail in the streets, in institutions and in relationships. These people must not remain isolated, and in order for their efforts to permeate the deeper fabric of the city, there is a need to create a connection, to form a network, to build the community.

I am pleased to be able to say that the Church in Naples acts as a ‘binding force’ that contributes significantly to this networking, bringing together the efforts of individuals and connecting the energies, talents and aspirations of many. It has done so by promoting an Educational Pact, which has received a generous response from the institutions – the City Council, the Region, the Government – and also from many ecclesial organizations and third sector bodies. I would therefore like to make an appeal to all of you: do not let this network that unites you be broken; do not let this light that you have begun to kindle in the darkness be extinguished; do not let this dream you are realizing for a better and more beautiful Naples lose its colour! Continue with this Pact, gather your strength, work together, walk united – institutions, the Church and civil society – to lift up the city, to protect your children from the pitfalls of hardship and evil, to restore to Naples its calling to be a capital of humanity and hope.

I would also like to recall the path this city has embarked upon to rediscover its age-old vocation: to be a natural bridge between the shores of the Mediterranean. Naples must not remain a mere “picture postcard” for visitors, but must become an open workshop, where concrete peace is built, verifiable in the everyday life of the people.

Peace begins in the human heart, flows through relationships, takes root in neighbourhoods and suburbs, and expands to embrace the entire city and the world. This is why we feel an urgent need to work first and foremost within the city itself. Here, peace is built by promoting a culture that offers an alternative to violence, through daily gestures, educational programmes and practical choices of justice.

We know, in fact, that there is no peace without justice, and that justice, to be authentic, can never be separated from charity. It is within this perspective that initiatives such as the Casa della Pace, the House of Peace, which welcomes children and mothers in difficulty, and Casa Bartimeo, a place of support for young people and adults in vulnerable situations, are conceived and developed: concrete signs of a peace that becomes hospitality, care and the possibility of redemption.

Furthermore, together – the Church community and the wider community – you are working to make Naples a “platform” for intercultural and interfaith dialogue. Through conferences, international awards and reception programmes, including for young people from conflict-ridden areas – such as Gaza – you can continue to give a voice, from the grassroots up, to a culture of peace, countering the logic of confrontation and the use of armed force as a supposed solution to conflicts.

In this regard, Naples continues to reveal its true heart in welcoming migrants and refugees, seen not as an emergency but as an opportunity for encounter and mutual enrichment. And this is possible above all thanks to the work of the diocesan Caritas, which has also transformed the Port of Naples from a mere landing place into a living symbol of welcome, integration and hope.

Brothers and sisters, Naples needs this surge, this disruptive energy of goodness, this evangelical courage that enables us to renew everything. Let this be a commitment for all: take it on and carry it forward together! Do this especially with young people, who are not merely recipients but protagonists of change. It is not just a matter of involving them, but of granting them space, trust and responsibility, so that they may contribute creatively to the building of the common good. In a reality often marked by mistrust and a lack of opportunities, young people represent a living and surprising resource. This is shown by the experience of the Diocesan Museum Network, where so many of them are committed to preserving and sharing the city’s cultural and spiritual heritage through new and accessible means. It is demonstrated by the young people who, in the oratories, devote themselves with passion to the education of the youngest members of the community, becoming credible role models and witnesses to healthy relationships. This is further demonstrated by the many volunteers who devote themselves to charitable services, social initiatives and programmes supporting those in need.

These experiences are not marginal: they are already tangible signs of a youthful Church and a city that can regenerate itself. I am sure that you will not fail to continue to nurture them with boldness, with the passion and enthusiasm that set you apart.

Thank you, dear friends, for your welcome, and I entrust you all to the intercession of Mary Most Holy and Saint Januarius. May the Lord always keep you faithful to the Gospel, and bless the city of Naples!

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Final greeting of Pope Leo XIV before leaving Piazza del Plebiscito

So, before we leave, let us thank the choir and all the musicians who have performed this evening. Thank you! And thank you to all the sick people who have been with us this evening: a special blessing for you! Thank you, thank you… Thank you to everyone, and “Viva Napoli”!