Rome, January 9 – A solemn memorial mass for the young victims of the Crans-Montana fire was held today in the Basilica of Santi Ambrogio e Carlo al Corso in Rome. The ceremony was attended by a significant number of political figures, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, various ministers, and leaders from the opposition, underscoring the national impact of the tragedy.
High-Profile Attendance Reflects National Mourning
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni led the government delegation, which also included Deputy Prime Ministers Matteo Salvini and Antonio Tajani, Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano, and ministers Giancarlo Giorgetti, Guido Crosetto, Elisabetta Casellati, Giuseppe Valditara, Alessandro Giuli, Roberto Calderoli, Gilberto Pichetto, Daniela Santanchè, Paolo Zangrillo, Marina Elvira Calderone, Nello Musumeci, Adolfo Urso, and Andrea Abodi. The President of the Senate, Ignazio La Russa, and Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri were also present. Opposition leaders included Elly Schlein, Giuseppe Conte, Nicola Fratoianni, Angelo Bonelli, and Riccardo Magi, demonstrating a rare moment of political unity in grief.
Before the mass commenced, Prime Minister Meloni and other political figures briefly met with the parents of Giovanni Tamburi and Riccardo Minghetti, two of the victims, offering their personal condolences.
Cardinal Reina’s Emotional Homily: “This Must Not Happen Again”
Cardinal Baldassarre Reina, the Vicar of Rome, delivered a poignant homily, echoing the collective sentiment with the powerful words, “This must not happen again.” He emphasized the shared responsibility to protect the youth and ensure their safety. “Today, in the stinging pain, we feel that while they are all our children, all those who must have their right to defend their youth recognized for themselves, for others, and by others, must also remain our children – to live and have fun in safety, identifying rules and strongly supporting their observance. If we all feel like parents in pain, if we feel like brothers, sisters, friends in this tragedy, we must be parents, brothers, sisters, friends so that this does not happen again,” said Cardinal Reina.
He further stressed the acute torment that would arise if the tragedy were met with “the ashes of silences, the absence of explanations, the opacity and inertia in the search for causes, and worse, if the tragic lesson that commits us to the custody of the right to youth, which admits no negligence, were removed.”
Remembering the Victims and Call for Accountability
Cardinal Reina individually named the six young Italian victims: “Giovanni, Achille, Emanuele, Chiara, Riccardo and Sofia, are the names that God holds written, unforgettable in the palm of his hand, and that he now weeps with our tears, in waiting. Because nothing is over, no one is lost.” He also remembered those currently fighting for their lives and recovery, assisted by rescuers, doctors, nurses, and psychologists in Niguarda Hospital in Milan and other healthcare centers.
Reflecting on the Gospel, Reina posed the silent questions: “How was this possible? Can one die like this?” He concluded by stating, “Every time in the face of tragedies it is legitimate to ask ourselves where God was, why He allowed it, seeking in Him the remote cause, whose existence desperately seems to console us or fuel the most radical rebellion. But, as in this episode of the Gospel, by seeking God, we will find Him,” adding, “victim with those who are victims, son among our dead children, wounded, torn by what happened, and the cause should not be sought in heaven, but on earth.”
On-going Investigations and Future Measures
The Crans-Montana fire has deeply affected the nation, prompting calls for thorough investigations and stricter safety regulations to prevent similar incidents. The participation of such a broad spectrum of political leaders at the memorial mass signifies the collective commitment to addressing the issues that led to this tragic event and ensuring accountability.
The families of the victims continue to seek answers and justice, and the emotional ceremony in Rome served as a poignant reminder of the lives lost and the enduring grief of their loved ones. The event also highlighted the urgent need for comprehensive measures to safeguard young people in recreational and residential settings.
Source: https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/politica/2026/01/09/a-roma-la-messa-per-le-vittime-di-crans-montana-con-meloni-i-ministri-e-i-leader_c8ec2592-61f4-405b-9829-e4da51e90e6b.html
