Pope Leo meets families of victims of Crans-Montana fire

"Be assured of Christ's closeness and His tenderness: He is not distant from what you are experiencing; on the contrary, He shares it and carries it with you." 

Pope Leo XIV offered this reassurance on Thursday when meeting in the Vatican with family members of those killed or injured by the tragic fire that struck Crans-Montana, Switzerland on January 1. 

Swiss police report that at least 40 people died and 119 were injured, many seriously, following the fire and explosion that broke out in a bar of the ski resort town at a crowded New Year's celebration.  

The Pope said he was "deeply moved" to meet the families, as he recognized that this time in which "one of the people most dear to you, most loved, has lost his or her life in a catastrophe of extreme violence, or is lying in hospital for a long period, with a body disfigured by the consequences of a terrible fire that has struck the imagination of the entire world" truly tries one's faith.

He noted how it was a priority for him to meet with them when he learned of their interest.

Pope Leo expressed sadness that the tragedy happened on a day when everyone was rejoicing and celebrating, exchanging wishes of joy and happiness.

"What can one therefore say in such circumstances?" he wondered. "What meaning can be given to such events? Where can one find a consolation equal to what you are experiencing, a comfort that is not made up of empty and superficial words, but that touches deeply and rekindles hope?"