Pope Francis cancels address to lead prayers for Italy's earthquake victims

Pope Francis expressed sorrow and solidarity as he led thousands of Vatican pilgrims to pray instead for the victims of the earthquake which shook Italy early Wednesday.

The Argentine pontiff told an audience of 11,000 at St. Patrick's Square that he planned to talk about Jesus' mercy for his weekly general audience but decided instead to lead a prayer service when he heard the tragic news.

"Hearing the news of the earthquake that has struck central Italy and devastated entire areas, leaving many dead and wounded, I cannot fail to express my heartfelt sorrow and my closeness to everyone in the earthquake zone, especially those who lost loved ones and those who are still shaken by fear and terror," said Pope Francis, as reported by Catholic News Service.

"Having heard the mayor of Amatrice say, 'The town no longer exists,' and knowing that there are children among the dead, I am deeply saddened," he added.

He then led a prayer of the sorrowful mysteries as he believed that Jesus would provide consolation and peace to those suffering.

The Vatican Radio also reported later in the day that the Holy See's Press Office announced six firefighters sent from the Vatican City State to Amatrice.

Italy's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) registered the main earthquake at 6.2 which struck central Italy at 3:36 a.m. followed by smaller quakes that lasted 12 hours, the strongest of which is a 5.5-magnitude earthquake that was registered.

According to Reuters, official reports counted the death toll at 247 Thursday and could rise more than 300, surpassing the number of casualties from the county's last major quake in 2009. Prime Minister Matteo Renzi also reported 368 people injured and taken to the hospital late Wednesday.

One grandmother, who lost a family of four that included her eight-month-old and nine-year-old male grandchildren, blamed God for the sudden loss.

"He took them all at once," Reuters quoted her as saying.