At least 29 people have been injured after a series of explosions rocked a petrol station in Rome.
The incident which occurred this morning was believed to be caused by a truck colliding with a pipe.
A small blast was followed by a devastating explosion that occurred a short time later as emergency services worked at the scene.
At least nine police officers and one firefighter are among those injured. One man’s injuries have been described as serious after he was pulled from a burning car.
The incident happened in the east of the city.
Pope Leo said in a statement: “I pray for the people involved in the explosion of a gas station, which occurred this morning in the Prenestino Labicano neighbourhood in the heart of my diocese.
“I continue to follow the developments of this tragic incident with concern.”
