Pope Leo decries 'dizzying' profits earned by companies that pollute
Pope Leo criticized companies for prioritizing profits over environmental health during his visit to Acerra, Italy. He highlighted the severe consequences of pollution on local communities and called for accountability from those responsible. The Pope's remarks come ahead of his upcoming encyclical addressing various global issues, including environmental concerns.
- ▪Pope Leo visited Acerra, a region known for illegal toxic waste dumping.
- ▪He condemned companies for seeking profits at the expense of the environment.
- ▪The European Court of Human Rights previously ruled that Italian authorities failed to protect residents from waste dumping.
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Pope Leo decries 'dizzying' profits earned by companies that polluteSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxPublished May 23, 2026, 05:15 PMUpdated May 23, 2026, 05:15 PMACERRA, Italy, May 23 - Pope Leo on Saturday called out companies who seek "dizzying" profits at the cost of environmental pollution, on a visit to an area in Italy known as a hotbed for illegal dumping of toxic waste.On a visit to Acerra, about 220 km (137 miles) south of Rome, the first U.S. pope urged the world to "reject temptations of power and enrichment linked to practices that pollute the land, water, air, and social coexistence."Leo said he wanted to come to the area near Naples known as the "Land of Fires", where the European Court of Human Rights ruled last year that authorities had failed to…
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