VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has voiced concern about the future of Italy’s rural villages, which are home to almost a quarter of Italy’s residents, saying support must be given to these depopulation-suffering communities that are also being marginalized by urban-centric policies.

The pontiff said the progressive depopulation of these villages leaves them ill-equipped to take care of the substantial cultural and natural heritage they are endowed with, and as a result, they are often unable to cope with climate-change induced natural disasters that are becoming increasingly frequent.

Pope Francis discussed his concerns at an audience held at the Vatican with some 200 mayors of small Italian local municipalities making up ASMEL, an association that supports small local city councils in disadvantaged areas of Italy. The association provides support services to small municipalities in remote, rural, and often disadvantaged areas of Italy by endorsing their economic and social development. It’s currently made up of some 4,200 Italian local city councils, more than half of Italy’s 7,896 local municipalities.

 During his speech to the Italian tricolour-sash-bearing mayors, the pope commended the association for the work it was doing, saying the regions within its purview were frequently overlooked by national authorities and state entities due to "limited public financial resources," a practice that only exacerbates social and economic disparities between Italy’s poorer and wealthier regions.

 “The need for a welfare state is growing in these territories, while the resources to respond to this need are decreasing," Pope Francis said.

  Francis went on to say these marginalized areas could provide "new opportunities where others only see constraints" and "resources that others consider waste" if a different approach were taken.

 He added this would offset the current status quo that sees a lack of opportunities drive away the most enterprising individuals, leaving the neglected communities increasingly abandoned.

 The pope also called for innovative social practices to be introduced in these areas to allow for the "rediscovery of forms of mutuality and reciprocity," emphasizing the importance of fostering an "alternative paradigm" to counter the prevailing culture of waste in today's profit-driven society.

 "We were all deeply moved by the pope's words, as they reflect his profound understanding and concern for the challenges rural areas face,” ASMEL secretary general Francesco Pinto told Italian Insider. “The situation could be improved significantly if the government were to pay the same attention because beyond resources, attention is needed and processes need to be simplified."

 Analysts contend economic growth and ease of life in Italy is weighed down by substantial red tape. Italy ranked bottom five out of 52 countries for ease of settling in for foreigners in the 2023 Expat Essentials index ranked – with bureaucracy being indicated as the main issue. The index focuses on the four key elements of daily life: housing, language, digital life, and admin topics, all of which are important for both rural and urban living.

 Francis also reiterated previously aired concerns about the demographic crisis afflicting both Italy and Europe. This 'culture of depopulation' needs to be overcome and "we must recognize the gravity of the birth problem as the future of the country is in jeopardy.”