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Pope Francis Meets with Families of Italian Victims in Swiss New Year’s Fire Disaster
In a somber gathering at the Vatican on Thursday, Pope Leo XIV offered consolation to families of Italian teenagers killed or injured in the devastating New Year’s Eve fire at a Swiss ski resort that claimed 40 lives and left 116 people injured.
The pontiff met with approximately two dozen relatives of Italian victims, departing from his prepared remarks to share that he had immediately agreed to the audience upon learning of their request.
“I wanted at least to have the opportunity to share a moment that for you, amid so much pain and suffering, is truly a test of our faith, a test of what we believe,” the Pope told the grieving families.
The deadly blaze at Le Constellation bar in the southwestern Crans-Montana resort has become a point of intense focus for Italian officials and citizens alike. Six of the deceased and thirteen of the injured were Italian nationals, many of them young people celebrating the arrival of the new year.
Acknowledging the limitations of words to ease their suffering, Pope Leo urged the families to find strength in their faith. “The faith that dwells in us illuminates the darkest and most painful moments of our lives with an irreplaceable light, helping us to continue courageously on our journey toward our goal,” he said.
Following the Vatican meeting, the families met with Italian government representatives who have been vocal in demanding justice and transparency regarding the tragedy. Preliminary investigations indicate the fire likely started when sparkling candles ignited soundproofing material on the ceiling.
The bar’s owners now face serious legal scrutiny, with authorities considering charges of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm, and involuntarily causing a fire. The incident has triggered multiple investigations, with Swiss authorities leading the primary probe while French and Italian prosecutors have opened parallel inquiries.
Italy’s government is taking significant steps to support the affected families. Officials announced plans to join the Swiss investigation as a civil party, a strategic move that would provide access to court files and enable them to better assist Italian families navigating Switzerland’s judicial system, which operates outside the European Union’s framework of judicial cooperation.
Alfredo Mantovano, a senior government official who met with families on Thursday, explained the strategy is designed to create a unified voice for Italy and the Italian victims. Additionally, Italy intends to request that the European Commission join as a civil party, a move that could strengthen their position given the substantial financial resources the Italian state is committing to care for victims and support their families.
Alessandro Vaccaro, an attorney representing the family of Emanuele Galeppini—a promising young golfer who perished in the fire—expressed gratitude for the government’s support. “We are dealing with a country that isn’t part of the European economic community, so speaking with a unified voice will bring results,” he stated during a press conference, emphasizing their primary goal is to establish the facts surrounding the tragedy.
The disaster has resonated deeply throughout Italy. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani characterized it as an “open wound” for the entire nation during a briefing to lawmakers earlier this week. Tajani pledged that Italy would demand “full clarity” regarding what he described as “negligent behavior that is obvious to the eyes of everyone.”
As investigations continue, the international dimensions of this tragedy highlight the complexities that can arise when disaster strikes across borders, particularly involving a non-EU country like Switzerland. For the families, however, the immediate concern remains processing their grief while seeking answers and accountability for the devastating loss of their loved ones.
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12 Comments
This is just heartbreaking. The Swiss Alps are supposed to be a place of joy and celebration, not tragedy. I’m glad the Pope is reaching out to provide spiritual support to the Italian families.
This is just so tragic. I can’t imagine the pain the Italian families are going through. Kudos to the Pope for taking the time to meet with them and provide spiritual support.
A terrible start to the new year. I’m glad the Pope is reaching out to the grieving Italian families. Their loss must be unimaginable. I hope they can find some comfort in his words.
How heartbreaking. My deepest condolences to the loved ones of the Italian victims. I hope the investigation can provide some answers and prevent future tragedies like this.
Such a tragic event. My heart goes out to the Italian families who lost loved ones in this horrific fire. The Pope’s compassionate response must provide some solace during their grief.
Devastating news. Thirty-six Italian lives lost in this horrific fire. I hope the investigation uncovers the cause and leads to improvements that prevent such tragedies in the future.
Absolutely. Safety standards and emergency protocols at ski resort facilities need to be thoroughly reviewed.
What a senseless loss of life. The families must be devastated. It’s good to see the Pope making the effort to meet with them and offer comfort in their time of grief.
Yes, that personal outreach from the Pope must mean the world to them right now.
Such a tragic event. My heart goes out to the families of the young Italian victims. Faith and community support will be crucial during this unimaginably difficult time.
Agreed. The Pope’s message of comfort and solidarity must mean so much to the grieving families.
A terrible way to start the new year. My condolences to the families and friends of the young Italian victims. I hope they can find some solace in the Pope’s compassionate response.