Pope Leo XIV expressed his “deep sorrow“ after the death of 18-year-old Egyptian Pascale Rafik, Aleteia.org reported.
She died during a pilgrimage from Egypt to Rome, where she was to participate in the Jubilee of Youth with a group of pilgrims.
„His Holiness Pope Leo XIV received with deep sorrow the news of the sudden death of 18-year-old Pascale Rafik, who was traveling from Egypt to Rome to participate in the Jubilee of Youth”, the Vatican announced.
On August 2, 2025, the Pope met personally in the Vatican with a group of Pascale Rafik's companions, led by Bishop Shami.
The meeting, which took place in an atmosphere of deep sorrow, was a moment of prayer and spiritual consolation for the Egyptian pilgrims, still shaken by this painful event. Leo XIV assured his prayers for the soul of the deceased and asked the Lord to comfort her family, friends and all who mourn her loss, vaticannews.va reported.