Pope Francis has donned a white firefighter's safety helmet to enter a damaged cathedral during a visit to central Italy, where he is giving encouragement to people still struggling three years after devastating earthquakes struck.
Francis traveled Sunday to the town of Camerino, which was shaken so badly in 2016 that people are still not allowed into the town center as work continues to stabilize buildings.
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Pope Francis has donned a white firefighter's safety helmet to enter a damaged cathedral during a visit to central Italy, where he is giving encouragement to people still struggling three years after devastating earthquakes struck.
Pope Francis celebrates mass in Camerino, Italy, Sunday, June 16, 2019. The town of Camerino was heavily damaged by the 2016 earthquake that hit the central Italian Marche region. (AP PhotoGregorio Borgia)
Pope Francis greets residents of temporary houses in the village of Cortine, that was severely damaged by the 2016 earthquake, near Camerino, Italy, Sunday, June 16, 2019. Pope Francis after visiting residents will be celebrating mass in front of the cathedral of Camerino that was also damaged by the 2016 earthquake that hit the central Italian Marche region. (AP PhotoSandro Perozzi)
Pope Francis greets faithful as he leaves after celebrating mass in Camerino, Italy, Sunday, June 16, 2019. The town of Camerino was heavily damaged by the 2016 earthquake that hit the central Italian Marche region. (AP PhotoGregorio Borgia)
Pope Francis leaves after celebrating mass in Camerino, Italy, Sunday, June 16, 2019. The town of Camerino was heavily damaged by the 2016 earthquake that hit the central Italian Marche region. (AP PhotoGregorio Borgia)
Pope Francis celebrates mass in Camerino, Italy, Sunday, June 16, 2019. The town of Camerino was heavily damaged by the 2016 earthquake that hit the central Italian Marche region. (AP PhotoGregorio Borgia)
Pope Francis celebrates mass in Camerino, Italy, Sunday, June 16, 2019. The town of Camerino was heavily damaged by the 2016 earthquake that hit the central Italian Marche region. (AP PhotoGregorio Borgia)
Pope Francis celebrates mass in Camerino, Italy, Sunday, June 16, 2019. The town of Camerino was heavily damaged by the 2016 earthquake that hit the central Italian Marche region. (AP PhotoGregorio Borgia)
Before he entered the cathedral, a firefighter's safety helmet was placed over Francis' skullcap. Inside the cathedral, he was surrounded by firefighters and clergymen also wearing helmets. He placed flowers at a statue of the Virgin Mary, which was damaged in the earthquake. The statue's head and arms are missing.
Pope Francis celebrates mass in Camerino, Italy, Sunday, June 16, 2019. The town of Camerino was heavily damaged by the 2016 earthquake that hit the central Italian Marche region. (AP PhotoGregorio Borgia)
Pope Francis celebrates mass in Camerino, Italy, Sunday, June 16, 2019. The town of Camerino was heavily damaged by the 2016 earthquake that hit the central Italian Marche region. (AP PhotoGregorio Borgia)
Pope Francis greets residents of temporary houses in the village of Cortine, that was severely damaged by the 2016 earthquake, near Camerino, Italy, Sunday, June 16, 2019. Pope Francis after visiting residents will be celebrating mass in front of the cathedral of Camerino that was also damaged by the 2016 earthquake that hit the central Italian Marche region. (AP PhotoSandro Perozzi)
Pope Francis greets faithful as he leaves after celebrating mass in Camerino, Italy, Sunday, June 16, 2019. The town of Camerino was heavily damaged by the 2016 earthquake that hit the central Italian Marche region. (AP PhotoGregorio Borgia)
Pope Francis leaves after celebrating mass in Camerino, Italy, Sunday, June 16, 2019. The town of Camerino was heavily damaged by the 2016 earthquake that hit the central Italian Marche region. (AP PhotoGregorio Borgia)
Pope Francis celebrates mass in Camerino, Italy, Sunday, June 16, 2019. The town of Camerino was heavily damaged by the 2016 earthquake that hit the central Italian Marche region. (AP PhotoGregorio Borgia)
Pope Francis celebrates mass in Camerino, Italy, Sunday, June 16, 2019. The town of Camerino was heavily damaged by the 2016 earthquake that hit the central Italian Marche region. (AP PhotoGregorio Borgia)
Pope Francis celebrates mass in Camerino, Italy, Sunday, June 16, 2019. The town of Camerino was heavily damaged by the 2016 earthquake that hit the central Italian Marche region. (AP PhotoGregorio Borgia)