D.S.M, 21st April 2020
The lives of millions of people, already facing numerous difficult challenges in our world and oppressed by the pandemic, have changed and are being severely tested. Those most vulnerable, the invisible, those without an abode, are at risk of paying the highest price.
I would therefore like to acknowledge the world of street papers, and especially the vendors, for the most part homeless, terribly marginalised, and unemployed – thousands of people across the world who live and have a job thanks to selling these extraordinary newspapers.
In Italy, I think of the beautiful experience of Scarp de’ tenis, a Caritas project, which allows more than 130 people facing difficulties to have an income and thus access to fundamental citizens’ rights. And not only that. I also think of the experience of more than 100 street papers all over the world, published in 35 countries and in 25 different languages, which provide 20,500 people in the world with employment and an income. For many weeks now, the papers have not been sold, and the vendors have not been able to work. Therefore, I would like to express my solidarity with the journalists, the volunteers, and the people living thanks to these projects and who these days are doing everything they can thanks to many innovative ideas. The pandemic has made your work difficult, but I am sure that the great network of street papers will come back stronger than ever. These days, turning our gaze to the poorest can help all of us to realise how much is actually happening to us, and what our circumstances really are. My message of encouragement and brotherly friendship goes out to all of you. Thank you for the work you do, for the information you provide, and for the stories of hope that you tell.
Translated from Italian by Marta Anna Segit
