The Pope tells Dilma that he was moved by Santa Maria.
"The Pope said: 'I was very moved by what happened in Santa Maria. I think that in life we have to demonstrate strength and tenderness,'" said the president, who met with the pontiff this Wednesday in Rome; the fire that occurred on January 27 at the Kiss nightclub left 240 dead and hundreds injured.
Renata Giraldi
Special Correspondent for Agência Brasil/EBC
Vatican City – In meeting with President Dilma Rousseff this Wednesday (20), Pope Francis said he was moved by the tragedy that occurred in Santa Maria (RS), on January 27, which left 239 dead. According to the president, Francis praised the way Brazil reacted to the tragedy: with strength and tenderness. Dilma was the first head of state received by Francis, after the ceremony that marked yesterday (19) the beginning of his pontificate.
"The Pope said: 'I was very moved by what happened in Santa Maria. I think that in life we have to demonstrate strength and tenderness,'" the president recounted. "In Santa Maria, Brazil demonstrated strength and tenderness, he said."
In the early morning of January 27th, a fire broke out at the Kiss nightclub in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul. In addition to the 240 deaths, many people – mostly young – were injured. The tragedy shocked Brazil and had international repercussions.
Next, Dilma said she was impressed with the Pope's style. "He is a very modest Pope," she emphasized. "I think he will be a very important Pope," she added.
Editing: Denise Griesinger