Pope Leo has sent a letter of support to St Andrew's Church in Leicester, following a fire that severely damaged the building on 28 July. The letter, dated 7 August and signed by Vatican official Paolo Rudelli, expressed the Pope's sadness and offered "the assurance of his spiritual solidarity to all those affected".
The Reverend Johannes Arens, vicar of the Church of England church, described the letter as "a huge boost" for the parish community during difficult times. He noted its significance given that St Andrew's is not a Roman Catholic church.
The fire, thought to have been started accidentally, has led to services being held in a neighbouring community centre. Repairs are estimated to take about four or five years, and while the cost has not yet been calculated, the church hopes insurance will cover some of the bill. An online fundraiser has also been started by worshippers to help with repairs and lost income.
Rare artefacts, including notices and posters from the 1880s, are being catalogued and restored. A Victorian embroidered altar cloth has been placed in a specialist freezer by Leicestershire Museums collection service for restoration.