Domenico Caliendo: Naples Mourns After Heart Transplant Tragedy

The city of Nola will observe a day of mourning on the day of Domenico’s funeral, the date of which has not yet been set. Mayor Andrea Ruggiero announced the decision after visiting the Monaldi Hospital in Naples earlier Saturday. “As a city, we will stand with the child’s family, even when the spotlight fades,” Ruggiero said. In the coming days, the mayor and a local priest will visit Domenico’s home to express the city and parish community’s condolences. Meanwhile, residents have been leaving flowers and lighting candles near the family’s home, and a banner reading “Domenico, forgive us” has been displayed.

Six individuals have received notices of investigation in connection with the death of two-year-old Domenico Caliendo.

Naples prosecutors have ordered the seizure of cell phones and computer equipment belonging to the six doctors and nurses under investigation for their involvement in the heart transplant using an organ deemed unsuitable for employ.

The current notice of investigation cites charges of aggravated unintentional injury; however, prosecutors are expected to add charges of manslaughter in the coming days, once the date of the autopsy is communicated to those under investigation.

– A white rose, a balloon, and a teddy bear were among the tributes left near the Monaldi Hospital in Naples. One man traveled from Caserta to bow his head at the entrance, “to apologize to little Domenico.” “There’s a lot of anger, there was a mistake, and those who made it must pay. A child shouldn’t die like this,” he said. “Domenico is the son of all of Italy.” Mothers with their children also arrived, leaving notes reading, “We loved you like our son, like our nephew, help your family and forgive this world that doesn’t belong to you.” Another message read, “To a friend Angel, now we talk from afar,” signed Giovanni. Rosaria, one of the first to arrive, didn’t know Domenico personally but said, “I could be the mother, even the grandmother of this little boy. What do I think about this situation? It’s better not to say due to the fact that I don’t think anything good. Now I think there should only be silence and respect.”

A banner was displayed at the Barbera Stadium in Palermo calling for justice for two-year-old Domenico, who died in Naples.

“Let’s not look for scapegoats to vent our frustrations, but seek truth and justice with dignity, and above all, let’s ask that no other family have to live through the same hell.” This was part of a message posted on Facebook by Father Cosimo Schena, a priest from Brindisi, to the parents of Domenico, the child who died following a failed heart transplant at the Monaldi Hospital in Naples. Father Schena, known for his social media presence, is also a clinical psychologist. “Dear Patrizia, dear father of Domenico, dear family, there are news stories you don’t ‘read.’ They enter you like a blast of cold air, and you never arrive out the same. Domenico’s story is not a headline. It’s not a case. It’s a real child. It’s a name that burns in your throat. It’s a small heart that fought more than many entire lives manage to do. And in front of you, in front of a mother and a father who have seen hope ignite and extinguish, who have lived through days that shouldn’t exist, I have no clever words. I have no explanations. I have only one thing: a silence full of respect and an embrace that I wish could reach inside your home, inside that room where everything suddenly changes.” “Domenico remains in your way of loving each other. In your way of looking at each other,” the priest added. He urged those reading the message to offer delicate support, not curiosity, and to pray. The family plans to establish a foundation dedicated to children in require of transplants in Domenico’s name.

The Cisl Naples union expressed “deep sadness for the premature death of little Domenico.” The provincial secretariat stated it was joining in the grief of the family, offering “sincere participation” in their sorrow. “Faced with such a tragic event,” said Melicia Comberiati, general secretary, “we seek to feel close to those experiencing immense suffering. The loss of a child is a wound that crosses everyone, and challenges the conscience of an entire community.” (ANSA).

“The South Tyrol Health Authority expresses its deepest regret and heartfelt condolences to the family. Our thoughts are with them in this moment of pain. This is a tragedy for all involved, but first and foremost for the family of little Domenico. The Health Authority of South Tyrol is collaborating closely with the authorities. It is in everyone’s interest to shed full light on what happened as soon as possible. We reaffirm our full confidence in the work of the judicial authorities.” This was stated in a press release from the South Tyrolean health authority following the death of Domenico, the Naples boy who received a heart explanted in Bolzano.

Naples will take the field tomorrow in Bergamo at 3 p.m. Against Atalanta wearing black armbands to commemorate the death of two-year-old Domenico Caliendo, who died this morning at the Monaldi hospital in Naples following a heart transplant with a damaged organ.

There is a “light” in the tragic story of the boy who died at the Monaldi Hospital in Naples, according to an article on the front page of L’Osservatore Romano. “The Light is the sign of this tragic story,” which is nevertheless “a painful story to take your breath away and words, to depart room for prayer.” The Vatican newspaper recalls that “those who have experienced illness, the end of life, the death of a child, know the darkness. They have descended into hell. They know how difficult it is to climb back up. The darkness envelops, absorbs everything. Time stretches out, without awareness. But Patrizia, during the illness, in the hardest days, on the seesaw of hope and despair, besieged by cameras and microphones, in the most frenetic whirlwind of contacts, declarations, consultations, managed to find words, infinite gestures of Light.” This mother “was able to measure when everything around is excess; to give meaning when everything around is absurdity, to testify to the Good, when evil seems endless.”

“The constant anguish that has gripped us throughout these agonizing days has now turned to pain. An immense and overwhelming void surrounds us. The images of little Domenico and his mother, a courageous and exemplary woman, will forever remain in our eyes. Also as a warning. Especially for those of us who, by profession, are dedicated to the health of others. And also as an incentive. Yes, as an ethical and professional stimulus to always give more and do our best in caring for people, especially the most fragile and helpless.” This was stated by the Naples and Bolzano Orders of Nursing Professions in a message expressing their deep condolences to the family. The message also conveys a sense of closeness to all nurses and healthcare professionals who have been involved in this difficult battle for life. “We will try to make our own the wonderful example of love, determination and dignity that the mother of little Domenico has given to all of us. And we must avoid that the clamor, the unfortunate outcome and the strong media echo that derive from it undermine the trust of patients and citizens in the transplant protocols adopted in Italy and in the management of communication between hospitals and families. That would be a defeat for everyone. We must transform the sacrifice of little Domenico into an invitation to donate and to do our job better.”

“Little Domenico was always sedated. The doctors’ goal was to avoid disproportionate care and relieve pain through opioids and sedation,” said Elena Bignami, president of SIAARTI, the Italian Society of Anesthesia, Analgesia, Resuscitation and Intensive Care. “The child was treated with hypnotic drugs to promote sleep and with opioid analgesics to control pain,” explained Bignami, who is a professor of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care and Pain Therapy at the University of Parma. The clinical path was defined within the framework of so-called shared care planning (PCC), a tool used to establish, together with family members, which treatments are most appropriate in complex situations. “In this case, the planning was shared with the parents, for obvious reasons. It is a process aimed at finding a balance between available care and its effectiveness, avoiding interventions disproportionate to the patient’s condition,” the specialist clarified. The SIAARTI president expressed her closeness to the family: “We join their pain in an embrace. We have been with them for months, even before the transplant,” she said. At the same time, Bignami emphasized “the need to protect the work of healthcare professionals involved: we are also close to the doctors and nurses who have followed this case.” Finally, she urged against media trials: “If there is anything to clarify, it should be done in the competent venues, from the Public Prosecutor’s Office to the relevant authorities. Let’s not hold trials in newspapers or on TV. It is important that citizens do not lose confidence in the transplant network. Let’s not point the finger at the team: any responsibility must be ascertained in the appropriate venues, not in the media debate.”

“We await with confidence the reconstruction of events that investigators and technical investigations will certainly offer, but we are convinced, in any case, that our client did everything professionally required, and everything humanly possible, to save little Domenico, fighting against time and minutes.” This was stated by Alfredo Sorge and Vittorio Manes, lawyers for Dr. Guido Oppido, the surgeon who operated on the child who received a damaged heart. “Faced with the drama of this child and the pain of the family, there is only an immediate feeling of sorrow, emotion, and deep respect for the mother and all the relatives,” the lawyers said.

There have been reports of fake fundraising campaigns on some social media platforms using photos of little Domenico, who died this morning at the Monaldi Hospital in Naples after a failed heart transplant on December 23. The family’s lawyer, Francesco Petruzzi, said: “These are online scams. We will file a criminal complaint with the Postal Police. I have reported the matter to MP Borrelli and some colleagues, despite the mother’s announcement to donate to AIDO. The mother has decided to travel to the notary on Monday to set up a fundraising committee for a foundation in her son’s name.”

The funeral of little Domenico could take place between Thursday and Friday, according to the family’s lawyer, Francesco Petruzzi. “The body will be transferred to the morgue, before the autopsy, the prosecutor’s office will identify a panel of medical examiners and specialists for the irrefutable technical assessments. We are using these terms, we are not talking about an autopsy,” he added. “The seizure of the heart? The Prosecutor’s Office will decide, as we have requested.” “Our next steps will be to understand on Monday morning how the technical assessment will take place – he stressed – it is not clear whether it will be carried out by the prosecution or by the investigating judge’s office.”

“Thank you all, please continue to stand by me, we must not forget Domenico.” This was said by the mother of the little boy who received a heart transplant at the Monaldi Hospital and died this morning. “Now he has become a little angel,” she added. When asked where she found the strength to face this tragedy, the mother replied: “I find it from my son,” adding, “The first thing is that my son is not forgotten, then that other children are helped, I owe it to Domenico,” regarding the creation of a foundation in honor of her son. The mother also said she had spoken to President Giorgia Meloni “until a few days ago,” whereas regarding the President of the Campania Region, Roberto Fico: “I spoke to him this morning, he is a very good, human person, he gave me support in every way.”

“All of Italy is united in grief for the loss of little Domenico, a warrior who will not be forgotten. To his mother Patrizia, his father Antonio and all his loved ones, I send, on behalf of myself and the government, my sincerest embrace and deepest condolences. I am certain that the competent authorities will shed full light on this terrible story.” This was stated by President Giorgia Meloni on X.

“We said it twenty days ago. We repeat it today. It was murder. An endless chain of errors, between omissions, favoritism in the department, presumption and ignorance, while the lobby of cardiac surgeons moved.” This was stated by Fulvio Martusciello, regional secretary of Forza Italia Campania, commenting on the death of little Domenico. “They are all guilty, from the general manager to the head of department. Iervolino cannot remain in office for another minute. We expect a firm hand from the President of the Region. The Regional Council should be convened immediately. It was a murder,” concluded the Campania leader of the center-right party.

– “It is news that strikes and leaves you speechless. In these dramatic hours, my first thought goes to his parents and his family, who have faced months of hope, anguish and sacrifice with extraordinary strength. To them I send my sincere closeness and a moved embrace. Before everything else, in the face of such a great tragedy, respect and silence come first. But precisely out of respect for Domenico and his family, it is right that full light be shed on what happened. I invite the President of the Region and the Regional Council to establish a special regional commission to ascertain every responsibility and verify any critical issues along the entire chain. The trust of citizens in the health system is protected only by transparency and truth. We owe it to Domenico. We owe it to his family. We owe it to all citizens.” This was stated by Forza Italia Senator Francesco Silvestro.

The President of the Campania Region, Roberto Fico, together with the entire Regional Council, expresses “deep and heartfelt condolences for the death of the little patient hospitalized at the Monaldi Hospital in Naples.” “The entire community of Campania citizens is united in affection with the family. We are close to them with emotion in this moment of immense pain,” declared President Fico.

“The pain is ours and that of the entire City of Naples for the death of little Domenico. We have followed this dramatic story with the utmost respect. We extend our full support to the family,” said the mayor.

“Goodbye Domenico, rest in peace little angel,” was the message of condolence from SSC Naples following the news of the death of little Domenico.

Immediately after learning of the death of Domenico Caliendo, some citizens brought white flowers outside the Monaldi Hospital: “I am not a relative, I followed the child’s story and I thought of bringing some flowers for the little one.” This was said by a young man this morning outside the Monaldi.

The news of little Domenico’s death also shocked the community of Taurano, in the province of Avellino, the hometown of the boy’s mother. The torchlight procession planned for this afternoon in the town of the Vallo was canceled, as the family, overwhelmed by grief, requested. The President of the Region, Roberto Fico, was expected to attend the procession.

“A prayer for little Domenico. May God welcome him into his arms. The courage of his mother, Patrizia, is an example to us all. Today we stand with her in her pain, a pain I feel deeply. Rest in peace, little angel.” This was posted on X by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani.

With the death of little Domenico, which occurred this morning at the Monaldi Hospital “following an irreversible worsening of clinical conditions,” the position of the six healthcare professionals under investigation (with others expected to be added soon) is worsening. They will now face charges of manslaughter, rather than the aggravated unintentional injury previously suspected. Investigators from the VI section (Deputy Prosecutor Giuseppe Tittaferrante, Deputy Prosecutor Antonio Ricci) will order an autopsy and seize the boy’s body. Following the autopsy, the heart will be placed under seal for medical examinations. Members of the Carabinieri’s NAS unit (coordinated by Commander Alessandro Cisternino) are already at the Monaldi Hospital, where the boy was kept alive by an ECMO machine.

The Order of Doctors and Surgeons of Naples and Province expresses its deepest condolences for the death of the little patient hospitalized at the Monaldi Hospital.

In this moment of immense pain, the Order joins the family with sincere participation and respect for their suffering.

A feeling of solidarity is also extended to the community of doctors, nurses and all healthcare professionals at the hospital complex. The loss of a young life represents a deep wound for the entire healthcare and civil community. The Order renews its support to all colleagues who continue to work every day at the service of patients and their families.

Cardinal Mimmo Battaglia, Archbishop of Naples, arrived at the hospital this morning to pray with the mother and administer the last rites to little Domenico.

With deep sorrow, the Azienda Ospedaliera dei Colli (hospital) announces that this morning, Saturday, February 21, 2026, the little patient who underwent a transplant on December 23, 2025, died following a sudden and irreversible worsening of his clinical condition. The Strategic Management, together with all healthcare and non-healthcare professionals, expresses its deepest condolences and stands with the family in this moment of immense pain.

Failed transplant at the Monaldi Hospital: little Domenico has died. The announcement was made by the boy’s lawyer.

Mother Patrizia has decided to create a foundation in little Domenico’s name, with the aim of helping both children in need of a heart transplant and victims of malpractice. The family’s lawyer, Francesco Petruzzi, has received numerous emails from across Italy offering donations. Mother Patrizia has decided to invest these donations in the foundation: a great gesture of solidarity.

Cardinal Don Mimmo Battaglia is currently on his way to the Monaldi Hospital in Naples to administer the last rites to the little boy.

The lawyer representing the family, Francesco Petruzzi, has just arrived at the Monaldi Hospital in Naples.

The parents, Patrizia and Antonio, have been at their son’s bedside since dawn, devastated by the news that his condition had further deteriorated and that life support measures had been suspended to increase sedation.