The leader of the anti-immigrant Northern League, Matteo Salvini, called the pastor's actions an act of madness.

Families need something long lasting when coping with the heartbreaking wounds of losing their homes and loved ones, the pope said.

Sister Rita Petruziello said she could feel the contention and nastiness in the air during the presidential election campaign of the last year

The pope invited everyone to pray for all prisoners in the world, and that prisons focus on rehabilitation.

The cut-off is a major challenge to the government's effort throughout the nearly 6-year-old civil war to keep the capital as insulated as possible.