Pope sends comfort and aid to gypsy family after tragic blaze

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a message of condolence and comfort to the family of three gypsy sisters who died in Rome as their camper/home burst into flames as they slept.

The three Halilovic sisters, aged 4, 8 and 20, were killed but their parents and eight other siblings who were piled in the camper managed to escape the blaze.

The Holy See Press Office said that the Pope sent Archbishop Konrad Krajewski, the Almoner of the Papal Charity, to visit the surviving members of the Halilovic family and to bring them aid.

Prosecutors have reportedly opened an arson investigation into the tragedy after family members reported having received threats in recent days and another camper was torched last week.

Analysts believe the attack was likely a vendetta inside the city’s Gypsy community, rather than an anti-Roma act by local residents.   

Rome police said only that they aren't excluding any lines of inquiry.