The head of the Caritas charity in Puglia's Archdiocese of Foggia-Bovino, Khadi Sene, has become an Italian citizen. The citizenship ceremony for the 32-year-old was hosted on Tuesday (January 20) at Foggia City Hall in the southern Italian region of Puglia by the local mayor, Maria Aida Episcopo. 

"Receiving Italian citizenship is a great thrill. It was an intense moment I shared with my colleagues, the archbishop, and the mayor," Sene said.

"It is an honour to award Italian citizenship to a woman who is so close to the most marginalized in our community", the mayor of Foggia said, noting that "inclusion is a constant concern to highlight, and not a mere slogan."

Migrated to Italy at 20, worked hard to earn degree

Sene had been appointed to lead the local chapter of the Catholic charity Caritas in September 2024 by the local archbishop, Mons. Giorgio Ferretti, who also attended the naturalization ceremony.

Sene was born in Senegal and moved to Foggia to study when she was 20. However, when she discovered that her diploma from a language school in her home country was not recognized in Italy, she was forced to go back to middle school while working instead of enrolling in university.

Over the years, she earned a living by working in hotels until she was able to graduate in finance and marketing from the local Notarangelo Institute.

Sene started as a volunteer for Caritas

During her school years, Sene met volunteers from the local chapter of Caritas, called the 'Conventino'. At first, she helped serve meals at a local canteen during the weekend. Then, in 2018, a new director of Caritas asked Sene to help as a language mediator. Sene first did so as a volunteer and then as an employee, helping migrants who live in shantytowns in the countryside around Foggia, including in Borgo Mezzanone.

She rose through the ranks at Caritas and eventually became the first female immigrant at the helm of a Caritas organisation in Italy.

Of her work for Caritas, Sene said: "I will always remain a volunteer among many volunteers. They are my family. We walk together." She added: "With the help of agencies, institutions, citizens and many volunteers, we are trying to meet the needs of those who are facing difficulties. I hope that an increasing number of young people will [decide to do] voluntary work. It's good for the heart. I was very young when I started, and I haven't stopped since."