Pope Leo XIV expressed his heartfelt prayers and concern following a powerful explosion at a gas station in eastern Rome that left over 20 people injured, including several emergency responders. The incident occurred on Friday morning, July 4, shortly after 8:15 AM in the Prenestino Labicano district, within Pope’s own Diocese of Rome.

In a message posted on his Italian-language X account (@Pontifex\_it),  Pope wrote, “I pray for the people involved in the explosion at a gas station this morning in the Prenestino Labicano district, in the heart of my Diocese. I continue to follow with concern the developments of this tragic incident.”

The blast was reportedly heard across several neighborhoods in Rome, with witnesses describing a large cloud of smoke rising into the sky. According to initial reports from Rome’s fire department, the explosion may have been triggered by a fuel tanker malfunction. A pipeline is believed to have detached from the tanker while it was refueling the station, sparking the blast.

Emergency services were already at the location responding to a fire when the explosion took place. Among those injured were nine police officers, one firefighter, and a first responder. So far, five individuals have been hospitalized with minor burns and injuries from shattered glass. Fortunately, none of the injuries are currently considered life-threatening.

Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri visited the scene to oversee response efforts and assess the extent of the damage.

One of the most affected nearby sites was the Polisportiva Villa De Sanctis, a local sports center that was scheduled to host a summer camp for children. Thanks to a timely evacuation, the area was cleared before the explosion occurred.

“If it had happened an hour later, it would have been a massacre,” said Fabio Balzani, president of the center. “There would have been the 60 children from the summer center, us coordinators, and 120 people who booked the pool. The sports center is damaged; it looks like a battlefield."

Authorities continue to investigate the precise cause of the explosion, while emergency crews work to secure the area and support those affected. Pope Leo XIV’s public message of solidarity has brought comfort to many residents shaken by the tragedy.