I was lucky to be born into a wealthy family in Rome. I remember my parents—my mother, in particular—always repeating the Italian saying “prima il dovere poi il piacere (first the duty, then the pleasure).” And since I was 6, my father would give me books to read. I grew up learning to regard education as one of the best ways for self-realization, and this has continued to stick with me.
When I was 17, I played soccer for the Lazio youth team in Rome, and sometimes we had practice on weekday mornings. I didn’t want to miss school, but at the same time, I wanted to be present with the team. When I asked some of my teammates how they dealt with that, they said it was not a problem for them because they did not go to school. I learned they
left school because they had to help their parents economically, helping me understand that many kids quit school to escape poverty. Eventually, I became aware of many people less fortunate than myself, unable to receive adequate education because of war, poverty, and social injustice. For all to enjoy a proper education, the world needs to be a place of peace and equality. That has become my dream.
In 2017 I co-founded Eutopya, a magazine (now a podcast) with students from all over the world. And in 2019, I became a member of the Youth Forum of the Pontifical Council for Culture, the Vatican State’s Ministry of Culture whose president is His Eminence Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi.
The Vatican is the center of the Catholic church, and Rome’s citizens have much respect for it. Although I am not a citizen of the Vatican, I am a Catholic and went to Saint Peter’s Square many times to listen to the Angelus, the Pope’s mass. Also, the Pontifical Council for Culture promotes dialogue not only with Catholics, but with people of different faiths, cultures, and backgrounds. This is an element I consider incredibly innovative.
The Youth Forum I belong to is a place where young people can engage in dialogues regardless of political beliefs, religious faith, or social achievements. We explore ways to stimulate overall youth interest in essential life issues such as politics, ethics, and religion. Recently, we had an inspiring discussion about the impact of COVID-19 on the lives of young people by bringing in perspectives from diverse backgrounds, including history, political science, and art. This was the moment when I felt that the younger generation can overcome all difficulties if we work together.
I believe the greatest change won’t be something concrete. For example, when this pandemic is over, we will approach life differently, gradually adopting new ways of working and learning. Change must be realized across generations, and we will be the first to overcome the difficulties and realize our dream of a just and honest world. That’s what I believe.