A day of great human, spiritual, and institutional significance for Coldiretti Treviso, which took center stage in Rome at an official meeting on St. Peter’s Square with Pope Leo XIV, followed by a private discussion with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See.
The Treviso delegation was led by President Giorgio Polegato, Director Giuseppe Satalino, and Provincial Councilor Angelo Facchin, president of the Coldiretti branch in Oderzo and a member of the Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Committee. This meeting held profound significance, not only for its institutional dimension but also for the strong bond that Coldiretti Treviso continues to cultivate with the Christian principles of the Church, which remain foundational to its charter and daily activities even today. This commitment is also reflected in the presence of ecclesiastical councilors within the Provincial Council, a concrete sign of a vision that places the individual, the community, and the ethical value of agricultural work at its center.
During the audience with the Holy Father, the delegation wished to present a tangible token of the Treviso region, offering a selection of premium food products that symbolize identity, tradition, and quality. Among these were Prosecco, Casatella Trevigiana DOP, asparagus from Badoere and Cimadolmo, red radicchio from Treviso IGP and Castelfranco IGP, Grappa honey, Nonno Andrea jams, and other products representative of a region that expresses culture and beauty through agriculture.
A simple yet deeply meaningful gesture: to tell, through these products, the story of the daily work of farmers – guardians of the landscape and key players in a supply chain that unites tradition and innovation.
In the subsequent meeting with Cardinal Parolin, a dialogue opened on highly topical issues: the role of agriculture in building sustainable communities, the protection of the land, the social value of agricultural enterprises, and the need to support the younger generations on their entrepreneurial journey. A discussion that highlighted the centrality of the agricultural world not only from an economic perspective but also as a guardian of values and social cohesion.
It was an intense and deeply moving experience – said President Polegato – one that once again reminds us of the responsibility inherent in our work. Agriculture is not just about production; it is about relationships, care, and vision. Bringing the voices of our farmers to such a symbolic place means renewing our commitment to a model of development that places the dignity of the individual and respect for the land at its core.
Coldiretti Treviso returns from Rome with a renewed sense of purpose and the determination to continue on its path, strengthening the bond between the local community, institutions, and values, with a vision that looks to the future without forgetting its roots.
Our meeting with the Holy Father, Pope Francis, was deeply meaningful in many ways: on a human level, because of the intensity and simplicity of his gaze; on a spiritual level, because of his powerful call to uphold the values of the dignity of work and care for creation; and on a social level, because of his constant concern for the communities and families who live and work in our regions. We carry with us a moment that is not merely symbolic but deeply concrete, for it reminds us every day of the meaning of our commitment: being farmers means caring for the land, but also for relationships, hope, and the future of the next generations. Special thanks go to the Holy Father for the blessing he bestowed upon all the farmers and their families of Coldiretti Treviso: a gesture that we feel close to, that accompanies us, and that strengthens our journey. In the same vein – Polegato continues – we must be proud to have a Venetian like Cardinal Pietro Parolin, a figure of the highest caliber, capable of combining expertise, vision, and extraordinary humanity. In him, we have found warmth, a willingness to listen, and a genuine sensitivity toward the agricultural world and the local regions. He is a concrete example of how our roots can engage with the world while always upholding the values of the individual and the community.
