Pope Leo expresses his deep sorrow upon receiving news of the sudden death of an 18-year old Egyptian youth, Pascale Rafic, who was traveling to Rome to participate in the Jubilee of Youth.
The Pope contacted Jean-Marie Chami, Titular Bishop of Tarsus and Auxiliary Bishop of the Patriarchate of Antioch of the Greek Melkites for Egypt, Sudan and South Sudan, to offer “his spiritual closeness to the young woman’s family and the entire community.”
Later in the morning, Pope Leo welcomed to the Vatican the group of Egyptian youth Pascale was part of, led by their Bishop Jean-Marie Chami. Pope Francis personally offered his condolences and prayed with them in remembering their fellow friend and pilgrim.
The Pope assured all those mourning of his “heartfelt prayers” and invoked “the Lord’s comfort and consolation upon Pascale’s family members, friends and all of those who grieve her loss.”
Source: vaticannews.va
