Pope Francis meets with Families of Victims and Says "...unfortunately with the succession of many, too many human tragedies - we risk forgetting."

According to Vatican News almost two years ago, on the night of 8 December 2018, six people were killed in a stampede at a nightclub in Corinaldo, Italy. The day after the tragedy, Pope Francis prayed at the Angelus for the victims – five young people attending a rap concert and a mother who was accompanying her daughter to the event – and for the numerous people who were injured. On Saturday, September 12, 2020 Pope Francis met with the families.

GREETING OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS
TO THE FAMILIES OF THE KIDS AND YOUNG MOTHER
DEAD IN THE DISCO IN CORINALDO (ANCONA)

Consistory Hall
Saturday, 12 September 2020

Dear brothers and sisters ,

I thank you for coming to share your pain and prayers with me too. I remember then, when the tragedy happened, I was shaken. But as time goes by - and unfortunately with the succession of many, too many human tragedies - we risk forgetting. This meeting helps me and the Church not to forget, to keep in the heart, and above all to entrust your loved ones to the heart of God the Father.

Every tragic death brings great pain with it. But when he kidnaps five teenagers and a young mother, it's immense, unbearable without God's help. I don't go into the cause of the accidents in that nightclub where your family members died. But I wholeheartedly unite with your suffering and your legitimate desire for justice.

I also wish to offer you a word of faith, consolation and hope.

Corinaldo, the place of the tragedy, is located in an area where the Madonna di Loreto watches: its Sanctuary is not far away. And then I want - we want - to think that she, as a Mother, has never taken her gaze from them, especially in that moment of dramatic confusion; who accompanied them with his tenderness. How many times have they invoked her in the Hail Mary: "Pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death"! And even if in those chaotic moments they could not do it, Our Lady does not forget, she does not forget our pleas: she is Mother. Surely he accompanied them to the merciful embrace of his Son Jesus.

This tragedy took place in the night, in the early hours of 8 December 2018, the feast of the Immaculate Conception. On that same day, at the end of the Angelus recitation , I prayed with the people for the young victims, for the wounded and for you family members. I know that many, starting with your Bishops present here, your priests and your communities, have supported you with their prayer and affection. My prayer for you also continues, and I accompany it with my blessing.

When we lose a dad or mom, we are orphans. There is an adjective: orphan, orphan. When a spouse is lost in marriage, those who remain are widowed or widowed. There is an adjective for this too. But when a child is lost, there is no adjective. The loss of a child is impossible to "adjective". I lost my son: what am I ...? No, I am neither an orphan nor a widower. I lost a son. Without adjective. There is not. And this is your great pain.

Now I would like to recite with you the Ave Maria for Asia, Benedetta, Daniele, Emma, ​​Mattia and Eleonora.

[Ave Maria …]

[Blessing]
FULL TEXT Source: Vatican.va - Unofficial Translation