This afternoon, Pope Francis sent a condolence telegram to the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing that occurred yesterday.
Two bombs exploded near the finish line of the annual event, killing three people, including an 8 year old boy. Hundreds were injured from the blasts.
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican Secretary of State, relayed the Holy Fathers condolences to Cardinal Sean OMalley, Archbishop of Boston. Cardinal Bertone stated that the Holy Father was deeply grieved by news of the loss of life and grave injuries caused by the bombings.
Pope Francis, he said, wishes me to assure you of his sympathy and closeness in prayer. In the aftermath of this senseless tragedy, His Holiness invokes Gods peace upon the dead, his consolation upon the suffering and his strength upon all those engaged in the continuing work of relief and response, the telegram stated.
The Holy Father, concluded Cardinal Bertone, prayed that all Bostonians will be united in a resolve not to be overcome by evil, but to combat evil with good (cf. Rom. 12:21), working together to build an eve more just, free and secure society for generations yet to come.
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On ZENITs web page:
To read the Holy Fathers telegram, go to: http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/pope-francis-condolence-telegram-for-boston-marathon-bombing