Pope prays for Guatemala fire victims, calls for
action
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday called for prayerful
solidarity with the victims of a deadly fire at a shelter for troubled youth in
Guatemala.
The blaze the Refugio Virgen home on the outskirts of
Guatemala City claimed at least 35 lives.
Authorities say the fire began in the girls’ dormitory,
where reports say someone ignited the mattresses in protest after a foiled mass
breakout attempt the day before.
The shelter has long been the subject of complaints about
abuse, as well as criticism for inadequate food and overcrowded, unsanitary
conditions.
Built to house 500 people, there were reportedly at least
800 guests registered at the time of the fire.
“I express my closeness to the people of Guatemala, who are
living in mourning over the grave and sad fire that broke out inside the Casa
Refugio Virgen de la Asunción [this past week], causing deaths and injuries
among the girls who lived there,” said Pope Francis.
“May the Lord receive their souls, heal the wounded, console
their grieving families and the whole nation,” he prayed, following the Angelus prayer
on Sunday.
“I also pray and ask you to pray with me for all the girls
and boys who are victims of violence, abuse, exploitation and war,” he
continued.
“This is a plague,” he said, “this hidden scream that should
be heard by all of us and that we cannot continue to pretend not to hear and to
see.”
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