Rome, 30 May 2015
The "Children’s Train" is a special Frecciargento that took 200 children living in underprivileged circumstances through no fault of their own and their companions to Rome arrived at the Vatican City train station.
This year the train provided for the third year running by Gruppo FS Italiane played host to the children of imprisoned parents from Bari and Trani. They were joined by other children from Rome in the same situation at the Vatican City station.
The Pope joined them in the courtyard of this station, opened especially for their arrival, before later meeting them in Sala Nervi.
The train was met by Gruppo Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane CEO Michele Mario Elia, Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, President of the Vatican City Governorship and Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, President of the Papal Council for Culture.
CEO Elia showed the Pope a number of scenes from Pupi Avati’s film entitled “Un viaggio di cento anni” (A century-long journey) in Sala Nervi. This film – the leitmotiv of which is trains – covers a century in Italy’s history and also recalls the train journey made by Pope John XXIII from the Vatican City to Loreto.
The Frecciargento train departed from Bari first thing in the morning and will return in the early hours of the afternoon. Gruppo FS Italiane took every possible measure to ensure that the children had a relaxing journey and remember their experience with great pleasure thanks to the work carried out by men and women from Rete Ferroviaria Italiana and Trenitalia.
This journey was promoted by “Il Cortile dei Gentili” and once again confirms the social commitment made by Gruppo FS Italiane effectively provided through numerous initiatives implemented over the years.