What You Need to Know
• The Catholic Church in Belgium separated thousands of newborns from unwed mothers for adoption during the 1950s.
• Pope Francis issued an apology in 2024 for the forced adoptions that affected many families.
• From 1950 to 1970, the Vatican sent 3,500 Italian children to the United States under false orphan visas.
In the 1950s, the Catholic Church in Belgium forcibly separated thousands of newborns from their unwed mothers for adoption, often without consent. In 2024, Pope Francis apologized for these actions, acknowledging the pain inflicted on families. Additionally, between 1950 and 1970, the Vatican sent approximately 3,500 Italian children to the United States on orphan visas, despite many not being orphans but rather children of unwed mothers. John Campitelli, an American adoptee born Piero Davi in 1963, was reunited with his birth mother after 28 years of searching. His mother, Francesca, had been pressured to give him up, and her name was removed from his birth records, falsely labeling him as abandoned.
Why It Matters
This story highlights the historical injustices faced by unwed mothers and their children under the Catholic Church’s adoption practices. The forced adoptions in Belgium and Italy reflect broader societal stigmas regarding unwed motherhood during the mid-20th century. The Vatican’s actions not only disrupted families but also led to ongoing struggles for many adoptees seeking their identities and origins. Understanding these events is crucial for acknowledging the impact of institutional practices on individual lives and the need for accountability.
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