Zuppi in Amatrice: ten difficult years, the process is not yet complete

“It has been a tough ten years. The process is not yet complete; whilst we recognise how much has been achieved, we are still in limbo: ‘Amatrice is no longer there, and yet it is not there either’, but bit by bit it is reappearing, in an effort of colossal proportions.” “When we are kept apart from one another, or when the village square is not yet there, it is difficult, but we are certain that it will once again be full of people.” This was stated by Cardinal Matteo Zuppi whilst celebrating Mass in Amatrice, as part of the ceremonies marking the tenth anniversary of the central Italia earthquake, which claimed 299 lives on the night of 24 August 2016. “It also depends on each and every one of us,” Zuppi emphasised once more. “We are not interested in controversy, but in everyone’s commitment, starting with the State and its institutions, the Church, and the passion and creativity of each individual. ‘There is much to be done, but the worst is behind us’.”

The 10th-anniversary ceremonies were also attended by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who arrived in Amatrice by helicopter after taking part via video link from Palazzo Chigi in the meeting of the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ on Ukraine. The Prime Minister took part in the first of the two ceremonies, the laying of a laurel wreath at the Monument to the Victims in Don Minozzi Park; she then attended Holy Mass celebrated by Cardinal Zuppi, President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, at the sports ground in Amatrice.

On leaving Padre Minozzi Park, where she laid a laurel wreath at the foot of the war memorial, the Prime Minister met privately with the families of the earthquake victims. Accompanying her were the Commissioner for Reconstruction, Guido Castelli, and Paolo Trancassini. “I am deeply moved by this meeting with the victims’ relatives, but my commitment is even greater, because above all we want to provide answers – and to continue to provide them,” said the Prime Minister as she left the sports ground in Amatrice at the end of the mass.

La presidente del Consiglio italiano Giorgia Meloni partecipa a una cerimonia presso un monumento dedicato alle vittime del terremoto del 2016, in occasione del decimo anniversario della catastrofe, ad Amatrice, in Italia, il 24 agosto 2026. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

During the ceremony marking the tenth anniversary of the earthquake, there was also an unscheduled incident involving the Prime Minister. In front of the memorial to the 239 victims of the earthquake – which had been cordoned off due to the Prime Minister’s presence – whilst ‘Silenzio’ was being played, a resident of Amatrice who had lost part of his family in the 2016 earthquake – visibly moved and critical of the ceremony – tried to approach the Prime Minister to speak to her, but was stopped and comforted by Mayor Cortellesi. Once the ceremony was over, Meloni did approach the man to exchange a few words with him. “I managed to speak to her and she gave me a hug. It was the most beautiful moment of my life,” he said, in tears.

“Since I no longer hold an official position, I prefer to grieve in private.” So said the former mayor of Amatrice (Rieti), Sergio Pirozzi, who was absent from the ceremony taking place at the Tilesi sports ground in Amatrice, where Cardinal Zuppi celebrated Mass in memory of the earthquake victims. “The future,” added Pirozzi, “belongs solely to us, and we must shape it together; only in this way can we honour the memory of those who are no longer with us.” Pirozzi, who was mayor on the night of the earthquake on 24 August 2026, took part last night in the torchlight procession, which culminated in the reading out of the names of the victims of the Amatrice earthquake, and this morning attended a Mass, together with a few local residents and relatives of the victims, in the container that still houses the parish of Sant’Agostino.