Thanks for the cards

Pope Francis called a Italian religious sister on the phone to speak with her after she and the pupils at her school sent him a box of postcards, each with a photo of a child who had died from cancer.  I pray for all of you, and especially bless the children, the Holy Father told Sister Teresa, Superior of the Daughters of Saint Anne in Casal di Principe near Naples, when he called her last Thursday.

The Sisters run a kindergarten and a primary school in a region not far from Naples, known as the land of fire.  Its name derives from the illegal dumping of toxic waste there by the camorra, a local mafia gang.  For decades, the countryside has been plagued by industrial, toxic and nuclear waste from Northern Italy and Northern Europe.  The burning of this waste has led to a higher than normal rate of cancers, especially in children, and breast and thyroid cancers in young women.  One of the local priests, Father Peppe Diana, was apparently killed by the camorra twenty years ago.

Together with the children, we sent the Pope postcards with pictures of the children who have died of cancer, and their moms, Sister Teresa explained.  Every family gave a small contribution to pay for the shipping.  I also included the school's telephone number.  Then the unexpected phone call came.  I still don't believe it, she said.  He told me 'it is Papa Francesco' and he wanted to thank the children for the postcards.  He then added his prayers and his blessing, especially for the children and their families.  I didn't know how to respond.

At the time, Sister Teresa was in a class with young children.  They quickly realized what was happening, as soon as I said 'Papa Francesco'. They were happy.  They made a big fuss and almost prevented me from understanding all the words he spoke.  The poscards are part of an indepth study on the topic of waste.  We've talked a lot in class, we have discussed with the children, they were very careful and sensitive, she explained.

News of the phone call immediately spread in the surrounding area, including to the feuding clans of the camorra.