Overview

• A body wearing religious attire was exhumed from a mass grave near Raqqa on June 3 by Syrian Democratic Forces–affiliated excavators and is believed to possibly be that of Father Paolo Dall’Oglio.
• Cardinal Mario Zenari, the Apostolic Nuncio in Damascus, and Bishop Antranig Ayvazian of Qamishli have reported the find but stressed that identification remains preliminary pending further evidence.
• Francesca Dall’Oglio has publicly disputed the reports, challenging the clothing description and calling the news unverified.
• The Rome Prosecutor’s Office has delegated the Carabinieri del Ros to collect forensic and documentary evidence for confirmation of the priest’s identity.
• Dall’Oglio disappeared on July 29, 2013, in territory then controlled by the Islamic State while negotiating hostage releases and the case was archived in 2023 before being revisited.