The Catholic-inspired 'Trieste Network' tour begins in Bologna: "But we haven't left."

Bologna, July 11, 2025 – A 'non-party' that aims to be (even) more than a party. The Trieste Network , the network of Catholic-inspired public administrators born on the sidelines of last year's Social Week with the aim of promoting a new way of engaging in politics , has arrived in the metropolitan city. The key focus is on understanding how Catholics can once again become protagonists of public debate in Italy, through administrators capable of putting the needs of individuals and communities back at the center.

The Trieste Network, therefore, aims to demonstrate how "necessary" the contribution of Catholics and Social Doctrine remains to the life of the country today. For this reason, it defines itself as "more than a party, a grassroots and internal party," founded on five points of agreement , which will be presented throughout Italy by July. These range from democratic citizen participation, youth policies, and local welfare to the ecological transition, land protection, and the development of inland areas. Established in February 2025 , the Network has more than a thousand administrators and social workers who are currently holding 100 press conferences in various Italian cities.

"The ambition that drives us," emphasizes the Network's national spokesperson , Francesco Russo , vice president of the Friuli Venezia Giulia regional council, "is to try to revitalize participation by changing the very way politics is conducted." In short: "A politics that listens and doesn't shout, that engages in dialogue and doesn't polarize," say the administrators present. Participating are city councilors Gian Marco De Biase ("Engaging in politics, with the common good as our goal"), Filippo Diaco ("We must work to reinvigorate the 'party of abstentionism'. We can do more for young and old"), and Cristina Ceretti ("This historic moment requires a network of people who can address the challenges of the future").

A platform for dialogue. Regional councilors Valentina Castaldini and Marco Mastacchi also arrived at Palazzo d'Accursio. "Only by finding points of peace and unity can we contribute to improving society," Castaldini emphasized. The Network arrived in a city like Bologna where "the debate between left and right is strongly polarized, making the challenge even greater, but dialogue is always possible," Castaldini continued. "More content, fewer partisanship," Mastacchi instead believed: "I believe that's the most correct approach a politician should have," he explained. Among the audience was civic representative Andrea Babbi : "After the very clear indications of President Sergio Mattarella, first of Pope Francis, and then of Leo XIV, today the path of many administrators who need to come together to conduct politics for the common good is being consolidated," he said. Sitting in the front row alongside Babbi is Monsignor Stefano Ottani , Vicar General of the Diocese of Bologna: "I was happy to listen to the discussion; you are a group that can truly go far and gain further support." At his side is Lanfranco Massari , Forza Italia's city coordinator, and several institutions from the metropolitan area are also present. They are joined by MEP Elisabetta Gualmini . "This is not the time for a Catholic party," Gualmini states. It is the time for dialogue: "The EU must become a political entity capable of making strong decisions and standing its ground among the powers that surround us," Gualmini concludes.