Pope Leo XIV has reached out to express his "deep sadness" after an 18-year-old Egyptian woman, Pascale Rafic, participating in the Youth Jubilee in Rome, passed away on the night between Friday and Saturday.
The Holy See Press Office announced on August 2, 2025, that the Holy Father contacted Bishop Jean-Marie Chami, auxiliary bishop of the Patriarchal Church of Antioch of the Greek-Melkites for Egypt, Sudan, and South Sudan, to express "his spiritual closeness to the young woman's family and the entire community," according to his message.
The text of his message, also available in Arabic at the Vatican website, is below:
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has learned with deep sorrow the news of the sudden death of 18-year-old Pascale Rafic, who was traveling to Rome from Egypt to participate in the Jubilee of Youth.
The Holy Father has contacted His Excellency Jean-Marie Chami, Titular Bishop of Tarsus and Auxiliary Bishop of the Patriarchate of Antioch of the Greek Melkites for Egypt, Sudan and South Sudan, to express his spiritual closeness to the young woman’s family and the entire community.
Later this morning, he will meet at the Vatican with the group of pilgrims who were traveling with Pascale. The meeting, marked by profound sadness, will be an opportunity for prayer and spiritual comfort for the young people who are still shaken by the painful event.
In sharing in the mourning of those affected by this tragic episode, the Holy Father assures all of his heartfelt prayers and invokes the Lord’s comfort and consolation upon Pascale’s family members, friends and all of those who grieve her loss.
What happened?
The young woman, who suffered from heart problems, died of cardiac arrest in the southern suburbs of Rome.
According to the Italian press, Pascale Rafic was staying with her group in Artena, south of Rome. The young woman, who suffered from heart disease, had already experienced a bout of illness on Friday morning.
Returning from Rome on Friday evening, she reportedly felt unwell. She was taken to Valmontone Hospital, where she could not be revived. She died during her transfer to Colleferro hospital.
Pascale Rafic was in Rome for the Youth Jubilee, a major event organized by the Catholic Church as part of the Holy Year 2025. Hundreds of thousands of young people from around the world are expected to gather with Pope Leo tonight and tomorrow at the Tor Vergata camp.
