Pope meets parents of American student killed in Rome
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday morning met with the parents of an American student who was killed in Rome.
Beau Solomon, a 19-year-old student taking part in a summer study abroad program, was reported missing Friday evening. His body was found in the Tiber River on Monday following an extensive search. A homeless man was arrested in connection with Solomon’s death, with police saying the man was “seriously suspected of aggravated homicide.”
In a statement following the Pope’s meeting with Solomon’s parents, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Father Federico Lombardi, SJ, said Pope Francis expressed his “feelings of deep sympathy and compassion” and “his closeness in prayer to the Lord for the young man who died so tragically.”
Solomon’s parents arrived in Rome on Monday evening. On Tuesday, the U.S. Ambassador to Italy, John Phillips, released a statement 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.”