Rescuers pull 2 unconscious from collapsed building near the Acropolis in Greece

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Rescuers combing through the rubble of a building that collapsed in a blast in the Greek capital’s tourist district of Plaka, near the ancient Acropolis, recovered two unconscious people and searched for four others, authorities said Saturday.

The blast on Friday morning was believed to have been caused by a massive gas leak, Athens Mayor Haris Doukas said on Friday night. He said that neighboring buildings were also damaged and were evacuated.

The fire department said that a second person was found unconscious in the rubble of the two-story house in Plaka, the historic part of Athens that lies at the foot of the Acropolis hill, Greece’s most visited ancient monument.

Earlier Saturday, an unconscious woman was taken away by an ambulance. Two other women were injured from an adjacent building on Lysikratous Street, fire brigades said.

The search and rescue involved 30 firefighters and three dogs. An investigation into the blast was underway.

Video footage from the scene showed rubble strewn across the street, with parked cars smashed by falling debris. The people rescued by the fire department from the adjacent building were all tourists, resident Andreas Martzaklis said.

The pastor of a nearby church said that this Sunday’s service would be held outdoors because of damage to the church.

Firefighters work at the scene following Friday's powerful blast in Athens' Plaka district, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

Firefighters work at the scene following Friday's powerful blast in Athens' Plaka district, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

A general view of the area where a powerful blast caused a building to collapse and injured a few people in Athens' Plaka district, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

Firefighters work at the scene following Friday's powerful blast in Athens' Plaka district, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

Firefighters work at the scene following Friday's powerful blast in Athens' Plaka district, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)

PARIS (AP) — Might a helping hand from Pope Leo XIV partly explain the Chicago White Sox’s improbable return to the playoffs?

“No comment,” the pontiff replied with a beaming smile when a reporter on his plane to France asked whether the surprise sprung Thursday by the long-suffering team was miraculous and “Do you have anything to do with that?"

But the Chicago-born and raised lifelong fan of the White Sox left no doubt that he was thrilled, by adding: “Great things happen in Chicago."

The pontiff's oh-so-diplomatic answer was perhaps because he's had experience of how perceived papal rooting for one team or another can land him in hot water.

In June, he said “the pope is for all teams" but rubbed soccer fans in Barcelona the wrong way by adding that he personally roots for Real Madrid, inserting himself into one of the biggest rivalries in club football.

Real Madrid proudly posted the video of the moment, and social media filled with comments about how the club is “the team of God.”

Pope Leo XIV waves after a prayer vigil with young people at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis near Paris, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)

Pope Leo XIV waves during a prayer vigil with young people at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis near Paris, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)