Print friendly
Pope Francis has give support and encouragement by letter to an Argentinean rock singer jailed for causing a fire that took the lives of 194 young people in a Buenos Aires nightclub in 2004.
“You will have days when you feel down, but don’t be afraid. Be strong. Everything passes,” the Pope wrote to Patricio Fontanet, who is currently in a prison psychiatric ward after being diagnosed with severe depression.
The correspondence was initiated by Fontanet, who is serving a seven-year sentence.
The Pope’s reply began: “Pato, I received the letter you sent me three days ago. Thank you for your gesture ….
“Though I am physically far away I am close to you and your group in spirit, it is as if I can hear everything you hear and say, from a distance.”
Pope Francis then said: “I don’t want to give you advice because, at present, you don’t need it: you are a man who knows well what has to be done and how to do it. I’m confident of this.
“When you are free and more sensible, count on me for anything I can help you with.”
Finally, the Pope said “when you are able, please pray for me. A hug. Fraternally, Jorge.”
Estefania Miguel from Cordoba, who had a child by Fontanet last year, said: “This gesture of Francis filled my heart and gave me the strength to fight for the truth. I read the complete text to [Fontanet] on the telephone and he was surprised, because he had written the Pope but he never thought he would answer him.”
Fontanet was lead singer for a band called Callejeros. He later changed its name to Casi Justicia Social (Almost Social Justice).
After the tragic fire in the Cromagnon nightclub, the then Archbishop Jorge Bergoglio met the band and asked them “not to give up”.
Sources:
Image: Agenciafe
Related Posts:
News category: World.
