Caivano, bullet handed to don Patriciello during mass. A 75-year-old man arrested

'It is gruesome and shameful what happened this morning in my presence, in Caivano, in the parish of St Paul the Apostle inside the Parco Verde (Green Park) during the mass officiated by don Maurizio Patriciello. An exponent of local crime,' informs Pina Castiello, undersecretary to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, 'mingling among the faithful lined up for the rite of communion, approached Don Maurizio Patriciello and handed him a handkerchief containing a bullet, then quickly disappeared'.

Carabinieri from the Caivano Company and the Investigation Unit of Castello Di Cisterna arrested Vittorio De Luca, 75, for the bullet handed to Don Maurizio Patriciello in a church in Caivano (Na). The Carabinieri were assisted in the execution phase by police officers. The man will have to answer for persecutory acts aggravated by the mafia method against Don Patriciello.

The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, has sent Don Maurizio Patriciello his vicinity and solidarity after the serious intimidating act of which he was the victim. This was announced at the Quirinale.

"Unacceptable what happened today in Caivano, in the parish of St. Paul the Apostle, where during mass, a man, mingling among the faithful, handed Don Maurizio Patriciello a handkerchief with a bullet inside, and then quickly disappeared. A cowardly and criminal act, carried out in the most sacred place and at the most sacred time, which will not intimidate those who, like Father Patriciello, represent courage and dedication in favour of the community and legality. We stand by don Patriciello and all those who do not bow down to crime. The State is with you, and we will never take a step backwards'. Premier Giorgia Meloni wrote this on social media. "A very serious gesture, an unacceptable threat. Solidarity and closeness to Don Patriciello. The underworld will not succeed in silencing those who defend legality and justice. Fear? Never," commented deputy prime minister and League leader Matteo Salvini..

The Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, according to Viminale sources, heard Don Maurizio Patriciello on the phone to express his solidarity and reiterate the closeness of the State to the Caivano community. On this occasion, the minister announced a visit to Caivano shortly. As of today, State Police and Carabinieri officers have sent additional patrols to guard the Parco Verde. In addition, protection measures against Don Patriciello have been intensified. Tomorrow, a meeting of the provincial committee for public order and safety will be held, focusing on the Parco Verde episodes.