Meeting with the parents

This morning, prior to the Audience in the Paul VI Hall with the pilgrims from Lyon (France), at approximately 8:30am local time, the Pope met with the parents of Beau Solomon, a young American boy who was found dead in the Tiber river in recent days, in order to express his sympathy and compassion as well as his closeness to them in offering his prayers for this young man who died so tragically.

On Friday evening, the 19-year-old student, who was 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.