Between Central Africa, Italy, and Spain

 

La Comida: i volontari
La Comida: les bénévoles
La Comida: los voluntarios

Between Central Africa, Italy, and Spain 

March 17, 2026 

After the peacekeeping mission in Zemio, Obo, and Bambouti, the situation in the area has improved slightly: the return of the population to Bambouti, the departure of displaced persons from Zemio...

I continued my journey to Bangui. 

Here, on Saturday, February 21st, the bishops of Central Africa met with Cardinal Robert Sarah, sent by the Pope to visit the Episcopal Conference. Cardinal Sarah, 80, is originally from Guinea Conakry. Threatened by the government, he spent several years in Rome, with great responsibility. He is a prominent figure in Africa and a "Father of the Church." 

On Wednesday the 25th, I left Bangui, headed for Italy. I spent the first few days "running" between Milan, Tortona, Padua, Faenza, L'Aquila, and Rome, before continuing on Tuesday, March 3rd, to Cuneo. 

Here, on Tuesday, March 10th, together with the Friends of Father Aurelio ODV Association (https://www.padreaureliogazzera.it/), we organized a beautiful evening to present Bangassou and the work we are doing. 

On Thursday, March 12th, I left for Spain, and arrived in Cordoba in the evening. Here, I met with Bishop Juan José Aguirre, his family, and the Bangassou Foundation (https://fundacionbangassou.org/), as well as my family, who arrived from Italy on Friday. 

Saturday, March 14th, is Comida Day: a solemn luncheon, bringing together more than 1,000 people united by love and solidarity for the works of the Bangassou diocese (evangelization, schools, hospitals, orphans, the elderly, etc.). 

We are gathered at the Circulo de l'Amistad, a beautiful space. Here we said goodbye to so many people, and the miracle of solidarity for Bangassou was renewed: it is being created by the nearly 200 volunteers who prepared and organized everything, including the young men and women who served at the table (very young, but highly professional), the dozens of businesses, shops, and individuals who donated wine, bread, cured meats, and cheeses, and the nearly one thousand people who wanted to participate and generously shared their time and resources for Bangassou and the various projects of the diocese. 

I left Cordoba today, Tuesday, March 17, to return to Bangassou. I left with the joy of having encountered charity and hope everywhere.  In such tense times for all humanity, it is important to start again from a shared faith, concrete charity, and hope for the future.

Le cardinal Sarah

Padova

L'Aquila