On 9 July, in a crowded square of young people and citizens of Scampia, in Naples, a moment of strong symbolic and civil significance was held: the restoration of the plaque dedicated to St. John Paul II in Piazza Giovanni Paolo II. The event, strongly wanted by the local community and supported by the authorities, saw the restoration of the original plate, vandalized in 2009 and subsequently removed. The initiation by the Municipality of Naples was granted after a collection of popular signatures and a voluntary commitment of the community.
The appointment took place in the presence of prominent figures, including the Prefect of Naples Michele Di Bari, the Councillor to the Municipality of Naples Antonio De Jesu, the parish priest of Maria Santissima del Buon Rimedio don Alessandro Gargiulo – Dean of the eighth decanato of the Church of Naples – and representatives of the forces of the order (Carabinieri, Police of State and Municipal Police). Also present is the head of the youth and vocation ministry of the diocese of Naples, Fr Federico Scognamiglio, and the parish priest of Giuseppe Moscati, Fr Silvio d’Aniello. Among the present also Massimo Iaquinangelo, journalist and regional advisor of the Italian Catholic Union – Campania, as well as author of the historical essay “When John Paul II brought the world to Scampia”, written in four hands with Don Alessandro Gargiulo, and Mario Ansaldi president of the then Civic Committee “Piazza Perbene” that collected thousands of signatures for the initiation of the Piazza in San Giovanni Paolo II.
The restoration of the plate, which took place between the applause and the words of gratitude, has represented an act of historical and symbolic recognition of a place that has lived difficult times, but which today opens to the hope and memory of a bridge between faith, legality and rebirth. The plate, dedicated to John Paul II, recalls the visit of the Pontiff to Scampia in 1990, a historical moment in which the Pope shouted to the population: “Do not surrender to evil. Never.” A message of courage and resilience that still lives in the heart of the neighborhood.
Don Alessandro Gargiulo stressed that the restoration represents “dignity for a historical place of Scampia, linked to an episode of great spiritual and civil value”. “It was exciting to see so many young people and citizens participate, testifying that the memory of John Paul II continues to live and inspire.”.
The Prefect Michele Di Bari highlighted how the event “both a sign of legality and historical truth, fundamental for the ransom and growth of the district”, while the Councillor De Jesu remarked that “the square finds its legitimate header and that the City of Naples will continue to support the battles for respect for legality and collective memory”.
The event was not only a symbolic moment, but also a message of hope and renewal for Scampia. The presence of authorities, young people and local associations has confirmed that historical memory can be a powerful tool to counter the challenges of the present and build a future of legality and dignity.
Restoration of the plate is a concrete gesture of respect and attention towards the history and people of Scampia, an important step towards rediscovering their identity and role in the city context. A gesture testifies how a simple sign, like a plate, can become a symbol of rebirth and hope. Scampia, with its contradictions and challenges, shows once again to be a neighborhood that looks forward, with memory and legality as headlights.
L’articolo Scampia, restored the plate in Piazza Giovanni Paolo II: a gesture of memory and legality comes from IlNewyorkese.
