Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
L'Aquila (Agenzia Fides) – Hope for the living, prayers for the dead. In brief, this is the message that the Holy Father Benedict XVI launched to the earthquake victims of Abruzzo, in a visit that lasted a matter of hours and that included places of suffering from Onna to the Student Residence in L'Aquila.
The original itinerary called for the Pope's departure from the Vatican at 9am by helicopter, travelling to Onna, a small part of L'Aquila destroyed in the earthquake, however due to the weather the Pope had to travel by car. In Onna, the Pope met with the victims, especially those who have suffered the most losses, those who lost children, siblings, and parents in a town that lost 40 of its 300 inhabitants. The Pope then traveled by car to the center of town, stopping at the 14th century Basilica of Collemaggio, which has also suffered serious damages in the earthquake. He then stopped at the ruins of the Student Residence and met with a group of survivors.
He then traveled to the square of the “Guardia di Finanza” of Coppito, where he met with the mayors and parish priests of the towns destroyed in the earthquake, and it was there that he gave his final speech to the faithful and rescue workers. The Pope's itinerary had planned for his departure at 12 noon, however this was postponed due to the changes in the itinerary. Before his return to the Vatican, the Pope asked to visit the most seriously destroyed areas, if the weather permitted.
In Onna, the Pope said that he had come from Rome to express “in the most direct manner, my sincere closeness.” “I was close to you from the first moment, since I heard of the news of the violent earthquake that in the early morning hours of April 6 caused nearly 300 victims, many wounded and considerable material damages to your homes. I followed the news with great concern, sharing your disbelief, your tears for the dead, and your anxious concerns for what you lost in an instant. Now I am here among you; and I would like to embrace you affectionately, each one. All the Church is here with me, accompanying your sufferings, participating in your pain for the loss of relations and friends, and desirous to help you rebuild the homes, churches and businesses that collapsed or were seriously damaged in the tremor.”
The Holy Father said he admired “the courage, dignity, and faith” with which the people of Abruzzo had faced this serious trial. He also said that he would have liked to visit “every town, every neighborhood, every field of tents, and meet every person.” And he continued: “We could say, dear friends, that in some way your state of mind is similar to that of the two disciples of Emmaus, which Saint Luke speaks of in his Gospel. After the tragic event of the Cross, they returned home disillusioned and sad because of what they thought was Jesus' 'end'. But along the road, He came up to them and began speaking with them. Although they did not recognize Him with their eyes, something awoke in their hearts: the words of that 'unknown Person' rekindled this fire in them, and the hope that the experience on Calvary had extinguished.” Benedict XVI later read out a prayer that he himself had written for the victims of the earthquake.
In the late morning, the Pope arrived in the square of the “Guardia di Finanza” of Coppito. There, Benedict XVI met with the people and the personnel working in the area. He thanked Archbishop Giuseppe Molinari of L'Aquila, “who as Pastor has shared and is sharing in your difficult trial. I thank him for his wise words of evangelical faith and confidence that have been an expression of your own sentiments.” He then affirmed: “I carry all the victims of this catastrophe in my heart: the children, youth, adults, elderly, of Abruzzo as well as those from other parts of Italy and other nations. In the Basilica of Collemaggio, where I venerated the remains of Pope Celestine V, I was able to experience first hand the wounded heart of this city. With that, I wish to pay homage to the history and faith of your land and to all of you, who feel identified with this saint. In his urn, as you dear Mayor have recalled, I have left a sign of my spiritual participation with the pallium that I received on the day on which I began my Pontificate. It was also very impressive for me to pray before the Student Residence where many young lives were ended in the violent earthquake. Traveling through the city, I was able to better perceive the serious consequences that this earthquake has had.”
The Pope recalled that the square was where the funeral for the victims had taken place: “This place, consecrated by the victims' prayers and tears, represents a symbol of your tenacious determination not to give way to discouragement. 'Nec recisa recedit': the motto of the Corps of the 'Guardia di Finanza,' which appears on top of the building seems to well express what the Mayor called the firm intention to rebuild the city with the constancy that is characteristic of you, the people of Abruzzo.”
Benedict XVI explained that the tragic event of the earthquake invites the civil community and the Church “to profound reflection.” “As Christians, we should ask ourselves: 'What is it that the Lord is trying to tell us through this sad event?' We have lived Easter facing up to this trauma, searching for answers in the Word of God and receiving new light. We have celebrated the death and resurrection of Christ by recalling our suffering, praying that those affected may not lose their faith and hope in God. But also, as a civil community we should make a sincere examination of conscience, so that the level of those responsible in every moment, may never be lacking. With this condition, L'Aquila (in Italian, “the Eagle”), although she is wounded, will rise again.” (PLR) (Agenzia Fides 28/4/2009)
