This morning, Pope Francis met with the parents of American student, Beau Solomon, who was killed in Rome.
According to a statement following the Pope’s meeting with Solomon’s parents, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Father Federico Lombardi noted that Pope Francis expressed his “feelings of deep sympathy and compassion.”
The Holy Father also expressed “his closeness in prayer to the Lord for the young man who died so tragically.”
Friday evening, the 19-year-old student taking part in a summer study abroad program was reported missing. On Monday, following an extensive search, his body was found in Rome’s Tiber River. Although many details are not yet known, police forces arrested a homeless man in connection with Solomon’s death and say the man was “seriously suspected of aggravated homicide.”
On Monday evening, Solomon’s parents arrived in the Italian capital.
U.S. Ambassador to Italy, John Phillips, released a statement the next day saying: “I was saddened to learn of the tragic death of Beau Solomon. My heart goes out to his family and friends. The U.S. Embassy stands ready to provide support to Italian authorities investigating his disappearance and death.”
