Pope Francis Shuns Mafia Dons: Holds Vigil for Victims

Written by :

Jagajeet Chiba

Published on :

21 March, 2014

Pope Francis held a vigil for victims of organized crime in Italy on Friday.

Thousands of people in Italy have lost loved one’s at the hands of the Italian Mafia, according to reports. A toddler and his parents became the latest vicim of Mob violence just hours after Pope Francis announced his visit on Monday.

Some 700 families representing 15,000 people were expected to have gathered with the pontiff in Rome at 4:25 p.m. (11:25 a.m. ET).

Organized crime in Italy encompasses everything from gambling to counterfeiting to drug trafficking, according to reports.

The Vatican has played down rumors of a potential Mafia hit on the Pope.

- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com

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