In Pesaro, on the 13. February, two teenagers were caught on camera as they tried to cause a fire in the church of San Luigi Gonzaga. They spread hand sanitiser on the ground in front of the altar and then started a fire with a lighter. Luckily the fire went out after around 10 minutes. The parish priest left a sign on the door saying he forgives the boys who did it.
Two children - apparently 8 or 9 years old, the other 10-12 - have played with fire, risking causing great damage.
"I don't know what they wanted to do" commented the parish priest, Don Pavel, puzzled by the act. "Maybe they wanted to play, or maybe it was an imitation of a gesture seen elsewhere. Luckily the fire didn't spread, otherwise, it would have been a problem. Maybe they set the fire there to prevent other objects from being involved in the fire". The episode was reported to the Carabinieri. "
The problem," continued don Pavel in a fatherly tone, "is that if they think they're having fun, continuing with gestures like that, they can really cause serious damage. That's why they need to be identified, to help them and their families."
The parish priest left a sign posted on the church door. 'Dear young man who is coming in to annoy you,' the sign at the entrance read, 'I just wanted to tell you that despite everything I love you. Maybe you don't care, but please don't run away, look for me, let's talk... I forgive you. I just want to hug you. God loves you madly'.