After the spread of the message, Monsignor Martino then clarified on Facebook, saying

“I had chosen not to speak of Prince Jerry to respect the pain of his death and desolation. There are judicial investigations that are establishing exactly the facts and possible responsibilities. 

No way that this boy and his sad story will be exploited for discourses other than those of compassion for a life cut short and a long dream interrupted.”

He noted that the Jerry was “a special and extraordinary boy, very sensitive and also cultured, he was a graduate and loved to know and learn”.

“Arriving here after graduating in Nigeria, he had three job grants, he worked for Auxilium and Staccapanni, he was a volunteer for the school of peace at Sant’Egidio”, explains the priest, recalling the “beautiful path” “performed by Prince Jerry.

He said,

“He had applied for asylum, but he had not been accepted and he had heard of it in mid-December, 17 to be precise, and it was not that status, no longer required by the rules, which first granted humanitarian permission. It is an overwhelming tragedy the loss of this boy.”

Jerry will be buried on Friday, February 1 Friday morning at the Chiesa dell’Annunziata in Genoa.

The priest will officiate the burial.

See below excerpts of Martino’s interview in The Republic:

But who was Prince Jerry, Don Giacomo? 
“A special and extraordinary boy, very sensitive and also cultured. He was a graduate and loved to know and learn. We will miss him so much. 

How did you know about your disappearance? 
“They called me telling me that a boy from my community had been found dead in Tortona, on the railroad tracks. I had to leave for recognition, it was a harrowing thing. 

Was he with you for a long time? 
“Two years and a half. With us, he had made a beautiful journey. Arriving here after graduating in Nigeria, he had three job grants, worked for Auxilium and Staccapanni. He had been a companion and a volunteer for the school of peace at Sant’Egidio”. 

What was your status?
“He had applied for political asylum, but was not accepted and he had known in mid-December, 17 to be precise. And it did not fall into that status, no longer provided for by the rules, which first granted humanitarian permission. For us it is an overwhelming tragedy the loss of this boy “. 

Were you always in touch? 
“Lately a little less, but we kept on following him. Even those who reached him that day by telephone, reminding him of the appointment he had set here with us, immediately realized that something was not working ». 

What do you mean? 
“We reminded him that we were waiting for him for 13.30, he replied” Sorry “. Then nothing more until that gesture “. 

Will he celebrate his funeral?
Yes at 11:30 am at the Nunziata I will celebrate his funeral. And then we’ll take him to Coronata and bury him up there, praying for him for his family. “

N.B: The interview was translated from Italian.