For 28 years now he has celebrated his birthday with a long walk from Cagliari, the city where he lives, to Aritzo, his home town .

Francesco Calledda, known to all as “Zigheddu”, who turned 87 last Saturday, began his journey towards Barbagia last night, passing through Pirri, Monserrato, Sestu, Ussana and then Senorbì and Isili, where he spent the night.

This morning the last part of the route with a stop shortly after 12, in the former roadhouse of Sa Casa, where Don Graziano Muntoni was born. At 2 pm the arrival in the Aritzese parish of San Michele Arcangelo, welcomed by his nephew Nicola Calledda, with whom he shares a passion for trekking.

"This year - he says - I delayed my departure by a few days for the arrival of my grandchildren from Faenza, who wanted to surprise me for my birthday. It is a renewed journey of faith, praying for the health of Pope Francis, who I hope will recover as soon as possible".

But for Calledda, the march had a double meaning: «I also wanted to remember my nephew Andrea Pili, soloist of the Bachis Sulis choir, who passed away recently».

And while he packs his backpack to return to Campidano, Zigheddu is already looking at his next goals : «I have started the pilgrimage that will take me to stop in all the Jubilee churches on the island. I will finish it within a few months».

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