Today Italy marks a national day of mourning for the victims of the earthquake in Central Italy last Wednesday morning. Pope Francis has called for prayers for them and their families.
Those who have died number almost 300 but that statistic does not reflect the human tragedy which unfolds in natural disasters. The grief of the bereaved, the suffering of the severely injured, the heroism of the rescuers, and the unbearable agony of those who wait for news of their loved ones – all these bring people together in solidarity and prayer.
We remember too the two nuns in the USA who were murdered in their house. They were nurses providing medical attention to those who could not afford to get it elsewhere. we pray for them, their families and the people they served.
