Letters can speak of the intimate life of people and that of President Santos described with simplicity and depth the mission of Fr de Nicolò. The President explains the deep characteristics of what a priest ought to be and ought to possess. "The very important work that he carried on for decades is undoubtedly the best example of a Christian spirit, and of the noblest values of humanity". No doubt, the memory of it is present in the many thousands of young people who today mourn his death.
We remain grateful to Fr de Nicolò for his work for decades on behalf of disadvantaged youth. "For this reason, the feelings of gratitude and appreciation that he was able to inspire in the hearts of Colombians,” writes the president, “especially among his children, as he called them, will stay with us forever."
Fr de Nicolò worked for over 40 years to secure and strengthen the rights of the most vulnerable people in the city. Thanks to his work with Idipron (an institution he founded), it is estimated that over 45 thousand people have been rehabilitated and educated.
The Mayor of Bogota, Enrique Peñalosa also said: "I am saddened by the death of Fr de Nicolò, a wonderful human being who devoted his life to helping our children and vulnerable young people.”
Fr Saverio (Javier) de Nicolò came to Colombia from Italy in 1948, after the Second World War. He was a missionary at first and then chaplain in the juvenile prison. He always focused his efforts on helping the young people living on the street, many of them victims of drugs.
