January 15, 2026, 2:41 p.mJanuary 15, 2026, 2:41 p.m
Pope Leo XIV received family members of the Italian victims of the Crans-Montana fire in the Vatican on Thursday afternoon. “I am very touched to meet you,” the Pope said, according to the Italian news agency Askanews.
Pope Leo with the family of a victim.Image: keystone
Leo XIV met the parents of the six young Italians who died in the fire in a strictly private setting in the Apostolic Palace. Relatives of the twelve Italians injured in the fire were also present.
The Pope described the fire as a “catastrophe of extreme violence.” “I am very moved to meet you,” said the pontiff in his speech, addressing the relatives of the victims. He expressed his wish to support the parents of the six young people in a difficult moment.
Pope wanted to share “moment of pain.”
“I wanted to have the opportunity to share this moment of pain and sadness with you,” the Pope said. He agreed immediately when he heard about the request for an audience. “One of your dearest and most important people has lost his life in a catastrophe of extreme violence or is in hospital for a long period of time with injuries that have left his body disfigured after a serious fire that shocked the entire world,” said Leo XIV, addressing the gathered relatives.
The Pope emphasized that the tragedy occurred “at the most unexpected moment,” on a day when everyone had experienced joy and celebration in the exchange of congratulations. In view of these events, he asked the question of meaning and hope.
«I cannot explain to you, dear brothers and sisters, why you and your relatives were expected to pass such a test. The human affection and the words of compassion that I offer you today seem to me very limited and powerless,” the Pope said.
Meeting with Prime Minister Meloni
The relatives of the victims were also received by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after the meeting with the Pope. The Italian government has already stated that it wants to take part as a civil plaintiff in a lawsuit related to the fire. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called on the Swiss judicial authorities to carry out in-depth investigations and clarify the causes of the fire.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.Image: keystone
The purpose of the meeting is to coordinate a common line on the legal situation in both Switzerland and Italy and to evaluate possible measures.
The fire in Crans-Montana on New Year’s Eve killed 40 people and injured 116, some seriously. The six Italian dead were four young men and two girls between the ages of 15 and 16.
Twelve injured Italians are currently being treated at the Niguarda hospital in Milan for serious burns they sustained in Crans-Montana. Two of them are still in mortal danger, as the Lombard health authorities announced. (dab/sda/apa/ask)