Pope Francis is set to visit the victims of the devastating earthquake that hit Italy last week.
In his weekly address to worshippers in St Peter's Square on Sunday the pontiff said he wanted to visit survivors "as soon as possible" and said he wanted to bring "the comfort of faith, the tenderness of a father and brother".
With little chance of finding more survivors, Wednesday's quake has left almost 300 people dead and hundreds more injured and in hospital. As thousands gathered in the Vatican for Pope Francis regular Sunday homily, the Holy Father led prayers for the victims. He said: "Again, I tell those dear populations that the church shares their suffering."
More than 2.500 people lost their homes to the 6.2 magnitude earthquake which struck the tourist towns of Amatrice, Accumoli and Arquata del Tronto early on Wednesday morning.
Priests celebrated Sunday Mass with survivors in tents as questions over whether the high death toll could have been caused by inadequate buildings.
The government has pledged €50 million for rebuilding which will be topped up with donations, including at least €1 million from Italy's Catholic bishops.
But prosecutors have already opened investigations into whether building contractors used substandard building materials.
"If the buildings had been constructed as they are in Japan they wouldn't have collapsed," prosecutor Giuseppe Saieva told La Repubblica newspaper.
"I can only think it was built on the cheap with more sand than cement," he said. "If it emerges that individuals cut corners, they will be pursued and those that have made mistakes will pay a price."
