Pope Francis prays Sorrowful Mysteries for Italy earthquake victims

After a powerful earthquake struck central Italy in the early hours of Wednesday morning, Pope Francis postponed the catechesis he had prepared for his General Audience and instead led the crowd in the recitation of the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary.

Pope Francis expressed his “heartfelt sorrow and spiritual closeness” to all those affected. “I also express my condolences to those who have lost loved ones, and my spiritual support to those who are anxious and afraid,” he said. “Hearing the mayor of Amatrice say that the town no longer exists, and learning that there are children among the dead, I am deeply saddened.”

The Pope assured all those in the affected areas of “the prayers and close solidarity of the entire Church, who in these moments extends her merciful love”. He thanked the volunteers and rescue personnel responding to the quake.

Pope Francis then led the faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square in praying the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary, asking them to join him in “praying to the Lord Jesus, Who is always moved by compassion before the reality of human suffering, that He may console the broken hearted, and through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, bring them peace”.

The magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck near Perugia, central Italy, at 3.36am local time (1.36 GMT). According to the BBC, the village of Pescara del Tronto has been levelled to the ground. At least 247 people have died and more are missing.

The Benedictine monastery in Norcia - about 60 miles from Perugia - has been damaged. Benedictine Father Benedict Nivakoff told Catholic News Service: "All of the monks and the monks' guests are safe," but the Basilica of St Benedict suffered "considerable structural damage" and the monastery will need repairs as well.

Within a half hour of the first quake, Father Nivakoff said, the square outside the monastery was filled with people "because it is the safest place in town - around the statue of St Benedict."

While no buildings collapsed, it is obvious that many homes are no longer habitable, he said. The monks have set up a reception desk to help meet their neighbors' needs.

The basilica, he said, is closed pending an inspection by civil engineers, who were to arrive that same afternoon. However, Father Benedict said, "the facade seems to have detached" from the rest of the building and major repairs are likely.

Central Italy suffered badly from an earthquake of similar magnitude seven years ago. The 'L'Aquila earthquake' struck Abruzzo in April 2009, killing 309 people.

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Pope Francis prays Sorrowful Mysteries for Italy earthquake victims

At least 37 people have died after the magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck near Perugia

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