Let’s Write a New Story of Hope Together
The Letter from the Regional President of Christian Entrepreneurs Francesco Augurusa to the Calabrian People, Inspired by Pope Francis
Dear Calabrian people, youth of today and yesterday, There is a memory that accompanies these words: an image that captures a moment of hope and love. Pope Francis, with the smile that has illuminated the world, offers a candy to my son, a child, and speaks words of encouragement to him, urging him to live with confidence and determination. A simple but powerful gesture that represents the heart of his teaching: live, love, dream and believe.
Live. Pope Francis has taught us to live authentically, not to let ourselves be overwhelmed
by difficulties, but to find beauty even in the darkest moments. For you young
Calabrians, living means having the courage to face each day with passion and
determination and to see Calabria not just as a land to inhabit, but as a place of
opportunity.
Love. Pope Francis has taught us to love our land, love those around us,
love our neighbor, especially those in need. Love is the force that builds
relationships, that unites and gives meaning to our lives. Choose love, it is the engine that
can transform Calabria into a community of solidarity and welcome.
Dream. Every dream can become a light that illuminates the path. Pope Francis has
always encouraged us to dream big, to imagine a different future. Young
Calabrians, dream of a Calabria of justice, development, and dignity. Your dreams can
be the first step toward transformation.
Believe. Pope Francis has always had faith, a faith that has driven his every action.
Have faith in God, in others, and in yourselves. Believe that change is possible, that your commitment, your enthusiasm, and your strength can build a better Calabria, a place of legality and development.
Our land has given birth to extraordinary figures: Pythagoras, father of modern mathematics, who founded his school in Crotone; Tommaso Campanella, with his vision of justice in The City of the Sun; Luigi Lilio, the genius behind the Gregorian calendar; Corrado Alvaro, writer who deeply narrated the soul of Calabria; and above all Saint Francis of Paola, patron of our land, whose life of charity, unwavering faith, and service to the least among us guides us toward an authentic and generous existence.
To young entrepreneurs, I say: your work is essential to build a future of
development and dignity. Be bold, innovative, and responsible. Your businesses are not just
economic tools, but true engines of social change. Invest in
sustainability, justice, and solidarity, because your commitment can transform
Calabria into a land of opportunity for all.
To young people serving in institutions, I say: your role is crucial in ensuring
justice, legality, and transparency. Be an example of integrity and dedication, work with charitable spirit
and responsibility for the common good. Calabria needs administrators
who know how to listen, act, and build a future of hope for all.
To young people who choose to stay, I say: be the beating heart of Calabria, work
with passion to transform this land into a place of opportunity and development.
To young people who choose to leave, I say: carry with you the pride of your roots and the
desire to return one day to contribute to the rebirth of our region. Even from
afar, be protagonists in Calabria’s renaissance.
Finally, to the youth of yesterday, whose love and sacrifice have laid the foundations of the present, I dedicate
a thought full of gratitude. Your example of strength and commitment is a guide for the
new generations, a wealth of values that must illuminate the path of tomorrow.
In this Jubilee of Hope, let us then embrace Pope Francis’s passionate invitation to live with enthusiasm, to believe in our vocation, to fall in love with life and everything we accomplish each day. Let us make His message our own, transforming it into concrete action: together we can transform this land, live it with passion and responsibility. Let us embrace Pope Francis’s legacy and make Calabria a place of communion and growth, for us and for future generations.
Thank you,
Cav. Francesco Augurusa
President of UCID Calabria
