Pope Francis remembers Italian girl who died after WYD

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis took a moment during his General Audience on Wednesday to remember Susanna Rufi, a 19-year-old girl from Rome who died of meningitis on her way home from World Youth Day.

She was taken to the hospital in Vienna on Sunday evening, and died the next morning.

“We remember with affection Susanna, the Roman girl of this diocese, who died soon after taking part in World Youth Day, while she was in Vienna,” – Pope Francis said – “May the Lord, who certainly welcomed her into Heaven, comfort her family and friends.”

Susanna had been active in the youth programme at St. Polycarp Parish in Rome, and been preparing for over a year for her trip to Krakow.

The Italian Bishops Conference has asked Italian pilgrims to World Youth Day to seek medical attention if they suffer any symptoms associated with meningitis.