Benevento Mayor visits elderly man seeking companionship

Clemente Mastella, the mayor of Benevento, visited an 86-year-old resident named Pellegrino following a call made by the man to local municipal police. Pellegrino, who lives in social housing and uses a wheelchair, contacted the officers not to report an emergency, but simply because he was experiencing profound loneliness following the death of his wife.

Mayor Mastella praised the municipal police for their humanity, comparing their compassionate response to the biblical story of Noah’s sons. During his visit to the elderly man's home, the mayor addressed various hardships, including the condition of the building, the lack of an elevator, and utility bill concerns.

The incident highlights the growing issue of elderly isolation in Italy. Projections suggest that by 2026, approximately 10 million people in the country will live alone, with over 4 million being aged 65 or older.