The Consul General of Italy in São Paulo, Domenico FornaraHe stated that it was not possible to do more at the helm of the post with the available personnel structure. He wrote the comment on the Italianismo profiles on Instagram and Facebook, in response to... A news report about the debate he had with a follower regarding the scheduling of citizenship applications for minors..
He is leaving his post after four years and returning to Rome. In the text, the diplomat defended the team's work, presented figures from the period, and refuted the comparison between São Paulo and Belo Horizonte that sparked the discussion.
The figures presented by the consul
Fornara states that the consulate registered the highest growth in its history during his term and responded by doubling the number of services provided. According to him, the post received almost 200.000 new citizens in the last four years, and registrations in the AIRE (Registry of Italians Residing Abroad) continue at a rate of 50.000 per year.
The consul acknowledges that the demand exceeds service capacity."I know very well that we cannot attend to everyone," she wrote, describing the situation as a superhuman challenge.
The Supreme Court reaffirmed: citizenship is born with the person.
- New legal front opened
- Processes can still be filed.
- Individual assessment before any decision.
Unlikely suggestions and comparisons
The diplomat said he receives suggestions every day and welcomes them. However, he stated that many are based on flawed premises or insufficient knowledge of Italian law.
Regarding the case that led to the change, he considered the comparison with Belo Horizonte improbable. According to him, that consulate has a completely different size and reality, and what works there does not, by definition, work in São Paulo.
Fornara concluded the statement by defending his own work and that of his team. "Under these conditions, with this staff, doing more was impossible," he wrote, before wishing his successor good luck.
The debate that led to the response
The discussion began in the comments section of a post where the consulate released its four-year report. One follower suggested that São Paulo adopt Belo Horizonte's procedure for citizenship by legal benefit, with prior submission of documentation via mail and scheduling reserved only for signing the declaration of intent.
The consul's profile initially responded ironically, and then with arguments about the post's routine, deeming the proposal inapplicable and beyond his control. He stated at the time that all minors would be assisted within the timeframes stipulated by law.
The follower disputed the guarantee. He said that the last opening of vacancies occurred in March and that, at the current pace, it would not be possible to accommodate all the minors before May 31, 2029.
The end of the term
The official announcement took place on Sunday (26), although Italianismo had already anticipated the departure in June.According to ANSA, Fornara wrote in Portuguese that it was an honor to represent Italy in "the most Italian city outside of Italy" and described the period as an extraordinary challenge.
The agency notes that the new legislation on Italian citizenship came into effect during his tenure, which required reorganizing consular services and reforming the network of honorary consulates. The diplomat also cited more than 200 commercial and cultural promotion initiatives before returning to Rome. (With information from the Instagram of the Italian Consulate General in São Paulo and ANSA)
Sonia Regina Tonelotti
28 July 2026 17 at: 55
What this gentleman is saying is not true; I've had my Italian passport since 2000 and now I can't renew it.
Sonia Regina Tonelotti
28 July 2026 17 at: 55
What this gentleman is saying is not true; I've had my Italian passport since 2000 and now I can't renew it.
Rogério Caparello
29 July 2026 04 at: 19
The Consul's initial statement was unnecessary; he could have responded with figures and solutions to the demands and public policies he implemented during his time leading the consulate… Bring on the next one…
Carlos Eduardo
30 July 2026 15 at: 26
Yes, my father has been trying to obtain his first Italian passport in São Paulo since 2022.
He'll be turning 80 soon, I hope he can manage it someday.
By the way, in Porto Alegre I got mine processed in less than 6 months, and my newborn daughter's in 4 months. Porto Alegre works (or used to work) extremely well, maybe that's why they removed the great consul, Mr. Valerio Caruso.
Jicxjo
August 2 from 2026 at 15: 41
He did not explain what is different that would prevent the innovation suggested by the jurisdiction. Pure political rhetoric.