Challenges in the Mediterranean Region

The first challenge is that this Region is extraordinarily diverse: languages, cultures, religions, and social realities. The Mediterranean includes secularized European societies, Orthodox Christian contexts, and several Muslim-majority nations. In some countries, Christians live as minorities and face legal or social constraints; in others, aggressive secularization poses new pastoral challenges, even if there are signs of renewed spirituality and a need for interreligious dialogue.

Consequently, youth realities vary greatly: Europe faces demographic decline and growing concern for young people’s mental health, while the Middle East and North Africa have large youth populations marked by unemployment, migration pressures, and political instability. Although demographic challenges and aging are evident in parts of Europe, the Region continues to show good pastoral vitality. Particularly significant is the expansion of works dedicated to at-risk youth, migrants, and socially vulnerable people. These are signs of missionary growth and of the determination to remain present where young people most need support.

Ultimately, in this crossroads of continents, cultures, and faith traditions, and amid situations of deep poverty, violence, and conflict, Salesians in the Mediterranean continue to live their vocation with courage and realism. We are aware of the challenges, but we trust in Providence and choose to read history through the lens of hope. We are not called to preserve structures, but to generate hope. This is the first and principal challenge. The diversity of contexts calls us to be deeply rooted in Christ while remaining capable of dialogue, respect, and creativity.

A Time of Change for the Salesians

Even if it may sound familiar, it is true: we are living through an epochal change, a real revolution. But this does not worry us. It is the foundation of the renewal of the Salesian Congregation begun in the 1970s with the Special General Chapter, in response to the call of the Second Vatican Council. Since then, the Congregation has continuously renewed itself according to the needs of the times, seeking what we call “dynamic fidelity”—with Don Bosco and with the times. This is deeply Salesian.

The 29th General Chapter continues this path of renewal, consolidating the essential choices that define our identity while opening us to new challenges. For the current six-year period, four priority lines of work have been identified: strengthening the centrality of Christ in our lives, following Don Bosco; renewing our pastoral proposal with updated charism and professional competence; addressing the challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence in education and pastoral work; and, finally, giving special importance to the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome.

The Vocational Crisis and the Path Forward

In the Mediterranean Region, with the exception of Croatia, the numbers indicate fragility. Yet from the perspective of faith, fragility reminds us that the future is built on God’s grace, not only on our own strength. As Salesians, we have sought a path of personal and community conversion, renewing our missionary frontiers and deepening discernment about our consecrated life today. Before numbers, the first concern is to live our Salesian consecrated life in such a way that it raises questions and speaks to young people today; vocational fruitfulness will follow.

To understand this crisis, we must also consider a broader “crisis of vocational culture.” In a context marked by individualism and secularism, and by suspicion toward sacrifice and commitment, it is difficult to understand life as a vocation. Other factors include low birth rates, family crisis, weak faith formation, the scandal of abuse, and currents that discredit the Church. There is no magic solution.

The path forward lies in a faithful and prophetic witness to our vocation, showing our passion for Christ and for the young; offering the attractive testimony of joyful fraternity; being present among the young, walking with them, listening to their concerns and hopes; presenting the welcoming face of the Church; proposing serious paths of faith education; offering good spiritual accompaniment; and involving the entire Christian community in fostering vocations through consistent processes rather than isolated events. The rest depends on God’s grace.

War and Responsibility Before God

Europe and the Mediterranean are marked by conflicts such as the war in Ukraine and in the Middle East. What can be said to leaders who want to turn war into a crusade in the name of God? No war is justified, least of all in the name of God. Recently, the Archbishop of Rabat, Cardinal Cristóbal López, SDB, said in Seville that “a Christian who justifies war must re-examine his conscience.” But this applies to every person of good will.

One thing learned from years of service in this region is that judging from a distance is not the same as seeing reality face to face. When people casually speak of “collateral damage,” one sees that these are real people with names and faces—many of them children—wounded in their dignity, families destroyed, without homes or future. The greatest shame is that behind it all there are always economic interests and power strategies imposed by force rather than by reason. How desirable it would be for Europe to speak with one voice in defense of human dignity, freedom, individual rights, reason, and dialogue.

Migration: A Continuing Tragedy

Is the Mediterranean still the “great cemetery of migrants,” as Pope Francis said? Unfortunately, yes. For this reason, migration has become a decisive pastoral priority for Salesians and for the Church. The Mediterranean basin remains one of the world’s main migration corridors, and Salesian works are often on the front lines of welcome, education, and integration.

Efforts are being intensified not only to assist migrants in their integration, but also through development projects in their countries of origin, aiming to improve living conditions so that migration becomes a free choice rather than a necessity. As Pope Francis emphasized, and as echoed in Dilexit nos, “the Church, like a mother, walks with those who walk. Where the world sees a threat, she sees children; where walls are raised, she builds bridges.” Some—even among Christians—should take this to heart.

Expectations for the Pope’s Visit

The Pope’s upcoming journey, first to Algeria and then to Spain, is expected to strengthen relations between the Vatican and Algeria, promoting peace and mutual understanding. It is hoped that this will help remove obstacles and facilitate the presence of missionaries in this important frontier.

As for Spain, the country has awaited a papal visit since 2011. The hope is that it will open horizons of hope, peace, understanding, and reconciliation, helping people live their faith faithfully in communion with the Church and in response to the hopes of today’s world, especially the young and the poor. Particular expectations are linked to the visit to the Canary Islands, focused on migration, in the hope that it will help transform hearts in the face of this reality.

The full interview in Spanish is available here.