Crimes of hope

After Covid, albeit amidst storms of disappointment, here is the first autumn-winter with many paths of hope, despite the new horrors of hatred in the Middle East, a very fragile economy, many fears added to the old ones, a scale of values increasingly undermined by relativism, a great search for a healthy planet, a lesser thirst for God. But also, perhaps, the return of a strong desire to go beyond appearances and an initiated recovery of profound interiority, that is, a renewed soul after years of desertification.

Healthcare did not have cuts but 5 billion in maneuver which, obviously, will or will not succeed in canceling the waiting lists and the postponed operations are not dust. It's a drop, but it's something beyond the burning mystifications that we read every day as if we were without eyes and ears. Unfortunately, transport costs more even if the promises speak of new vehicles both by road and rail. We will see!

The effects of the war in Ukraine are decreasing, while those from the burning Middle East are growing. However, peace efforts are multiplying like prayers. The crowd at the Arsenal of Peace a few weeks ago speaks for itself.

Inflation slows down but remains high and as always affects the poorest.

The economy is slowing down but before (let's face it!) it was drugged by the super bonus.

The listening centers have all (or almost all) reopened and the reconstruction of social relations has begun and is slowly progressing, especially for the many young people disturbed by Covid.

The oratories, everywhere in Italy (but also in Piedmont), are replacing the regions, municipalities, provinces with canteens, after-school activities, animations with an effort by volunteers which, however, must be fueled. The courtyards are revived as in the nineteenth century of the social saints.

Culture, fortunately, is regaining its spaces. At school and outside, albeit in the sea of lack of resources and strategies, talents are being rediscovered after decades of conformism.

It's time to take note of it while, little by little, the dreams are being rediscovered, the ones that made the Italy of enlightened visionaries (from Adriano Olivetti to Michele Ferrero) and so many of us great.

Immigration seems to be managed in a less improvised way, without prejudice to the brutality of many nations such as France and Hungary. Of course, events like those in Brussels do not help solidarity.

The new environmental and common sense mentality is growing, also thanks to Pope Francis. A good sign! The "joy of living" (with God it's better!), which had weakened a lot, has returned almost everywhere.

Everything is ready for a stormy autumn but also for a "beautiful winter". But we must continue to sow hope, sharing and those smiles that do not make noise but make a long way into hearts.

Gian Mario Ricciardi

NP Novembre 2023