Pontiff mourns victims of Swiss fire

January 02, 2026

Pope Leo XIV mourned the victims of a January 1 bar fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, that left 40 dead and 119 injured.

The Pontiff “joins in the mourning of the families and the entire Swiss Confederation,” Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of His Holiness, wrote in a telegram today to the local bishop, Bishop Jean-Marie Lovey of Sion.

The Pope “wishes to express his compassion and concern to the loved ones of the victims” and “prays to the Lord to welcome the deceased into his dwelling of peace and light, and to support the courage of those who suffer in their hearts or in their bodies,” Cardinal Parolin continued.

“May the Mother of God, in her tenderness, bring the comfort of faith to all those affected by this tragedy, and keep them in hope,” Cardinal Parolin concluded.

 

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Further information:

• Telegram of the Holy Father, signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, on the fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, 02.01.2026 (Holy See Press Office, 1/2/26)
• 2026 Crans-Montana bar fire (Wikipedia)