Many families in Italy have welcomed Ukrainian children and young people during the summer within the framework of the “Together is more beautiful” initiative, promoted by Caritas Italy and the National Family Pastoral Office of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI).
The project, in which Cáritas Spes, Cáritas Ukraine, the Secretariat of the Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine, the Nunciature in Ukraine and the Embassies of Ukraine in Italy and the Holy See have also cooperated, is in its third edition this year.
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Host families, together with several dioceses, have opened the doors of their homes to a total of 730 minors from Ukraine, giving them the opportunity to flee for a few months from the war that is ravaging their country.
It should be noted that in 2024 the number of young people welcomed has considerably increased, since in 2022 218 were received and in 2023 542 Ukrainian children were received.
The President of the CEI, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, defined this project as a seed of peace “when only the terrible seed of war exists” and noted that they are working to continue this project during the winter.
The cardinal also highlighted that “it is beautiful for those who come out of war, violence, nights with bombs, the father who has not returned, the anguish of something so big that it changes all of life.”
On August 9, the cardinal met in the parish of Saint Martin, Bishop of Chieti Scalo (Italy) with the minors welcomed by the diocese of Chieti-Vasto.
“Here they finally find a little peace: it is like a light that we are sure they will bring back to Ukraine,” said Cardinal Zuppi, adding that “the most beautiful seed is also for us, because many times we know what to do in the face of it.” such a great evil and we can do it.”
“In the face of war, in the face of this death machine, we can all do the most important thing of all, which is to pray, but also, as San Martín remembers, to share,” he remarked.
As reported by the thethe goal of the project is “to help children and young people process the trauma of war, in safe places where they can confront and grow, imagining a peaceful future.”
Likewise, through play and recreational activities, “they are offered opportunities to regenerate, socialize and build positive and meaningful relationships.”
They also specified that for Italian communities, “this is an important opportunity to grow and share.”
Almudena Martínez-Bordiú
I am a graduate in Journalism and Advertising from the CEU San Pablo University in Madrid. Specialized in religious information in Spain since 2015. I have been a senior correspondent for ACI Prensa and EWTN Noticias in the Vatican for two years and I am currently a European correspondent based in Spain.