Pope consoles families of young Italian victims of Swiss bar fire

Pope Leo XIV met with relatives of Italian teenagers killed or injured in the New Year’s fire at a Crans-Montana bar and offered words of consolation; Swiss, French and Italian investigators have opened probes into the blaze.

Pope Leo XIV met with about two dozen relatives of Italian teenagers who were killed or injured in the New Year’s Eve fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana. He set aside his prepared remarks to speak directly to the families and acknowledged their pain. The pope urged faith as a source of hope amid suffering. Italian officials have been meeting with relatives while legal inquiries proceed. Reported details: - The pope met relatives and departed from his prepared speech to address them directly. - The fire at the Le Constellation bar on New Year’s Eve is reported to have killed 40 people and injured 116, including several Italian citizens. - Swiss authorities have opened a criminal investigation and French and Italian prosecutors have also launched inquiries into the blaze and safety compliance. - Italian officials said the government plans to join the Swiss investigation as an injured party. Summary: The pope’s audience was a public gesture of consolation as formal investigations continue across several jurisdictions. Italy has announced plans to join the Swiss probe and legal proceedings are ongoing; the next procedural steps were not specified.