Pope deplores organized crime in Naples

(Oct. 22, 2007) Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday condemned what he called the “deplorable” mob violence that he said had permeated everyday life in southern Italy. Speaking at a Mass in the main square of the Naples, the capital of Campania region, the Pope called for programmes in schools and the workplace to change a “mentality” of violence that he said increasingly draws in young people who have few other economic opportunities.
Naples, the largest city in southern Italy, has long been synonymous with chronic crime and is home to the Camorra, a local version of the Sicilian Mafia which thrives on drug, arms and prostitution rackets and other lucrative activities. TFor years, the city has had the highest murder rate of all major Italian cities. Last year it slipped to second place after Bari. Naples' surrounding Campania region has for years also topped the charts for robberies and car thefts.
The Pope blamed the situation on poverty, inadequate housing, unemployment and underemployment and lack of prospects for the future. “It's not just the lamentable number of Camorra crimes, but also the fact that violence unfortunately tends to become a diffuse mentality, insinuating itself into social life, in the historic centre and in the new and faceless outskirts, with the risk of drawing in young people in particular,” he said.
Pope Benedict's visit to Naples came on the 28th anniversary of a 1979 visit to Naples by his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, whose trips to the city also included calls for an end to mob violence. Pope Benedict urged Naples residents not to lose hope. Speaking before a crowd including Prime Minister Romano Prodi, the Pontiff told local people they should not wait for politicians to act. He called for a renewal of faith and hope "capable of effectively combating discouragement and violence". "Naples obviously needs substantial political action, but first still, a profound spiritual renewal," Pope Benedict added.