Italy: Priest dedicated to the poor murdered by mentally-ill man

Source: Fides/Vatican News

An Italian priest who dedicated his life to caring for the poor, was killed yesterday by a mentally-ill homeless man, the Diocese of Como announced this morning.

Fr Roberto Malgesini, 51, originally from Valtellina, was stabbed in the back in the centre of Como, "by a homeless man with mental problems," the diocese said. The attack took place about 7 in the morning not far from San Rocco Parish, where Fr Roberto was based.

The killer turned himself in to the police soon after.

Don Roberto was known for being "the priest of the marginalized" he dedicated himself in particular to assisting the homeless and migrants.

Last night Bishop Oscar Cantoni led prayers in the Cathedral, for Don Roberto and for the man who killed him.

At the end of the General Audience today, Pope Francis said: "I would like to recall at this moment Don Roberto Malgesini, a priest of the diocese of Como who was killed yesterday morning by a person in need whom he himself helped, a person with headache."

"I join the pain and prayers of his family and of the Como community, and as his bishop said, I praise God for the witness, that is, for martyrdom, of this witness of charity towards the poor."

"Let us pray in silence for Don Roberto Malgesini, and for all the priests, nuns, lay people who work with people in need and rejected by society."