Pope Leo XIV met with the families of the victims of the fire in Crans Montana, offering them compassion and hope after the tragedy.

On Thursday, Pope Leo XIV had a private audience at the Vatican with approximately 20 relatives of the victims of the devastating fire in Crans Montana, Switzerland, which resulted in 40 deaths and 116 injuries, mostly teenagers and young people. The Pope expressed that he was "very touched" by the meeting with these grieving families, emphasizing the importance of faith in difficult times. He stated that although words of compassion may seem limited, their hope is not in vain. The Pope encouraged the families, saying that faith can illuminate the darkest moments of life and promised them that they would find joy again. The group of relatives was to be received later by Italian officials in Rome.