Pope Francis on Sunday paid tribute to the “resilience» and the «dignityfrom the population of L’Aquila during a visit to the capital of Abruzzo, in central Italy, which continues to heal the wounds of a deadly earthquake in 2009.You have demonstrated a resilient character (…) There was everything to rebuild: houses, schools, churches“, declared the 85-year-old pope in front of a few thousand people gathered in the Duomo square, including many families of victims.
The earthquake of April 6, 2009 killed more than 300 people, injured 1,600 and caused significant damage in the city, which is gradually rebuilding its buildings, particularly in the historic center. The sovereign pontiff arrived shortly before 8:30 a.m. by helicopter in L’Aquila (about 70,000 inhabitants) where he must celebrate a mass and the Sunday prayer of the Angelus, before leaving at midday.
Shortly before 10 a.m., Francis reached the square of the Basilica of Saint Mary of Collemaggio aboard the Popemobile, waving to the crowd where some were waving yellow and white Vatican flags. This basilica, badly damaged during the earthquake, is famous for housing the oldest Holy Door in the world and the tomb of Celestine V, the first pope to resign, in the 13th century.
“It’s a special visit, as if Jesus had arrived“Told AFP with tears in her eyes Rita Maccarone, 45, who lost her sister-in-law in the disaster.