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Illa Ends Rome Visit With Gaza Appeal and Plan to Counter the Far Right

After meetings in the Vatican and in Rome, he pressed for humanitarian corridors with the repatriation of flotilla detainees.

Overview

  • The Catalan president concluded a three-day trip that included an audience with Pope León XIV and meetings with Rome's mayor Roberto Gualtieri and the presidents of Lazio and Emilia‑Romagna.
  • At a Montserrat millenary event in Rome, he condemned what he called “barbarie” and “genocide” in Gaza and demanded humanitarian corridors with the safe return of flotilla detainees, naming Ada Colau, Jordi Coronas and Pilar Castillejos.
  • He canceled a planned lecture at La Sapienza University out of respect for pro‑Palestine student protests following the flotilla assault and offered Generalitat legal support to the detained activists.
  • In dialogues with Italian officials, he promoted pairing social investment with security to counter far‑right narratives, while counterparts described measures such as expanded lighting, cameras and targeted social programs.
  • He advocated devolving reception and integration powers in migration to autonomous communities, arguing proximity would improve efficiency and noting a similar JuntsPSOE proposal that failed in Congress.