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Italy: Historic monastery destroyed by fire, 22 nuns evacuated
A massive fire has destroyed the historic Bernaga Monastery in northern Italy, leading to the evacuation of 22 cloistered nuns, Italian firefighters reported on Sunday.
Founded in 1628 in La Valletta Brianza, near Milan, the monastery was a 17th-century religious landmark known as the place where Saint Carlo Acutis, canonized in September 2025, received his first communion.
The fire broke out Saturday night, completely engulfing the structure, as shown in dramatic footage released by firefighters on the platform X.
Although all nuns were evacuated safely and no injuries were reported, many artworks and priceless religious artifacts were reportedly lost to the flames, according to Italian media.
Local mayor Marco Panzeri described the event as “a catastrophe, with immense and incalculable damage”. Preliminary reports suggest the fire may have been caused by a short circuit.
The tragedy has deeply saddened the Catholic community, as the site held significant spiritual and historical importance linked to the recently canonized saint.