Pope Francis held a private audience at the Vatican with family members of young Italians killed in the devastating New Year’s Eve fire at the Le Constellation bar in Crans‑Montana, Switzerland. The blaze, which erupted during celebrations, resulted in dozens of deaths and left many more injured.

Addressing the bereaved, the Pope expressed deep sorrow for their loss, saying he was “very moved and shaken” to meet families grieving “a loved one taken by an act of extreme violence.” He invoked the suffering of Jesus as a source of spiritual closeness and assured families of his personal prayers and compassion.

The audience is part of broader support efforts for those affected by one of the deadliest recent recreational fires in Europe. Officials have also planned for the families to be received at Italy’s Palazzo Chigi following the Vatican meeting.