Pope makes surprise visit to “Nuovi Orizzonti” Community

By Vatican News

“Nuovi Orizzonti” is Italian for “new horizons”.

The Community was founded by Chiara Amirante in 1993 with the intention of assisting people in need and of taking action in areas of particular social hardship.

The work of the Community

These areas include rehabilitation from substance abuse and various forms of addiction, shelter to street children and aid to young people in difficulty. The Community also assists prostituted women, and provides support for anyone who has been rejected, excluded, marginalized – sometimes by their own families.  

The projects of the Community

What started out as Chiara Amirante’s own outreach mission to the poor and destitute on the streets of Rome has grown to become an international community, present in many countries around the world.

The projects of “Nuovi Orizzonti” now include over 200 training centers involving around 30,000 collaborators. Their activities include a mission of street evangelization, and a program that aims at the integral reconstruction of the human person, uniting elements of psychology and spirituality.

The Pope and the Community

Pope Francis has admired the work done by “Nuovi Orizzonti” for some time. On June 8^th this year, to mark the Community’s 25^th anniversary, he made a personal phone call, sent a letter of congratulations, and recorded a video message expressing his affection and encouragement to the more than 3,000 people gathered to celebrate the event.

“Never lose your memory”, said the Pope in that message. “In your memory you will meet God: the God who has accompanied you, who has made you grow”.

“Nuovi Orizzonti” is registered as a non-profit organization, and is recognized by the Vatican Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life. Its headquarters and international center is in Frosinone, about one hour’s drive south of Rome.