VATICAN CITY, AUG. 23, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI called to offer condolences at the death of four Gypsy children who died in a fire that broke out in their community under a bridge in Livorno, Italy.
The deaths of the children, between the ages of 4 and 11, occurred early morning Aug. 11. Authorities were uncertain of the cause of the fire.
The diocesan administrator of Livorno, Monsignor Paolo Razzauti, said today that the Pope called Thursday to communicate his "closeness to the city of Livorno," and to express his hopes that the community "will react to the tragedy with a culture of acceptance and solidarity."
In his phone call, the Pope also gave his condolences to the Orthodox Romanian Church, to which the four children belonged.
The parents of the children -- two couples -- have been arrested on charges of neglect and abandonment.
ZE07082309 - 2007-08-23