An arson attack destroyed the parish priest’s vehicle in Francofonte, following earlier vandalism against the church grounds.
On December 4, 2025, in Francofonte, Siracusa province, Italy, the car of Don Carmelo Scalia, parish priest of the Church of San Francesco, was destroyed by fire while parked inside the parish grounds. The flames broke out around 3 a.m. after unknown individuals poured flammable liquid on the Renault Clio and ignited it, causing the tires to explode and waking the priest. Firefighters responded, and Carabinieri collected evidence.
Mayor Daniele Lentini stated: “The municipal administration expresses full solidarity with Father Carmelo for the serious episode that involved his car… we manifest our human and institutional closeness to Father Scalia and the entire parish”. Weeks earlier, the same parish had been targeted by vandalism, including damage to statues of the Madonna and destruction of flowerbeds (OIDAC reported).