Much of the Italian political history of South America was present at the launch of Caminhos de Paulo - Paths of Paul.
On yesterday afternoon, the Press Room of the Chamber of Deputies hosted the journalist in charge of U Riggitanu and president of GIA - Giornalisti Italiani Associati, Andrea Ruggeri, who spoke at the invitation of theHon. Franco Tirelli (MAIE) and theHon. Fabio Porta (PD). Present at the event were, among others, the Vice President of the TXT Tourism Agency, Patrizia D'Agui, the Mayor of Seminara, the Consul of the Czech Republic, numerous dignitaries and friends. More than 350 people followed the event remotely.
After the two Honorable Members opened the proceedings with words of appreciation to the project and praise for the initiative, Andrea Ruggeri moved everyone by recounting the journey that led him to conceive and launch Caminhos de Paulo - a name in Portuguese, chosen to emphasize the project's Brazilian origins. The idea, in fact, was born in the state of São Paulo, with more than 40 million inhabitants, and in its namesake capital, one of the largest metropolises in the world, with 15 million residents and more than 20 million in the metropolitan area.
Afterwards, Patrizia D'Agui explained the reasons why the TXT Agency was chosen for the project, highlighting the long work done to realize this extraordinary journey. An initiative that aims to transform Southern Italy not only into a destination for religious tourism, but into a journey of redemption that will be able to welcome tourists for eleven months of the year, following in the footsteps of St. Paul, or Paul of Tarsus, theApostle of the Gentiles, in short, theevangelizer, considered the "number 2" of Christianity.
As Ruggeri recalled in his moving remarks, the journey would begin from Paul's first presence on Italian soil in Syracuse, through his first sermon and miracle in Reggio Calabria, and then continue-first by boat and then by road-from Campania to Rome. A journey that, as he pointed out, would change the world.
Hon. Tirelli and Porta, recalling their long friendship with the journalist and the many successes they shared, promised maximum institutional commitment so that the South - from Sicily to Calabria, crossing Campania and Lazio - can experience eleven months of active tourism, transforming this route into a new Santiago de Compostela, a new Assisi and Cassia to Rome. A spiritual and cultural route that can contribute not only to the dream of a physical bridge between the shores of the Strait, but also to a revolution in faith-based tourism.
It is a journey for all Christians-Catholics, Orthodox, Evangelicals, Protestants, Baptists and AGUs-because Paul is everyone's apostle, and anyone will be able to retrace his path, by land and by sea.
Andrea also recalled with emotion the messages he received: from the Co of the Ponte sullo Stretto Company, the directors of Caronte & Tourist - Siremar, the Director of the National Museum of Reggio Calabria, historian and archaeologist Daniele Castrizio, Amy Riolo from Washington, Tony Pascale from New York, and friends from São Paulo, Brasília, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Mar del Plata, Rosario, Morón, Los Angeles, Dominican Republic, Panama, Poland, Germany, and France.
"They moved me," he said, "It's not every day to have over 350 people remotely connected to follow an event like this."
He then expressed closeness to the people of Santo Domingo over the recent events, and regret for the many messages of appreciation received from those who, due to a strong global influence, could not be present in Rome.
In spite of this, he concluded with joy at having met Honorable People of all stripes, committed not only to defending the rights of Italians abroad, but also ready to discover and promote with Caminhos de Paulo a new form of faith tourism.
The trip will start from Catania, in the shadow of the Mungibeddu (Etna), will continue towards Syracuse, Taormina, Messina, and finally Reggio Calabria, where you will visit the sites of the miracle and the panorama of Sant'Elia, neighboring cities (including. Seminara), and then embark at Milazzo. Here you will relive, for a day and a night, the journey, at sea, through the Aeolian Islands, arriving at Naples and then to Pozzuoli, where Paul landed. From there, you will travel along theAppia Antica to Rome, where, after visiting the sacred places of Paul, the path will come to an end.
A journey that begins in Catania and ends in Rome, in the footsteps of Paul, among seas, volcanoes, islands, miracles and spirituality.
A project to still believe in the strength of the Mediterranean as cradle of faith, civilization and beauty, a concrete opportunity to redemption for the South, on a cultural and identity level. A South That you just have to be proud of. For a 360-day-a-year tourism future.
