Pope Francis sent his condolences to the victims of the tragic gas tanker explosion that occurred yesterday in Ecatepec, Mexico yesterday. The message was sent by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican Secretary of State, on behalf of the Holy Father.
The accident occurred yesterday morning when a natural gas tanker truck lost control and hit a center divider on a highway stretch that was lined with homes. According to an Associated Press report, Gov. Eruviel Avila, the governor of the State of Mexico was scheduled to meet with Pope Francis on Wednesday, but returned to Mexico upon hearing of the tragedy. As of now, 22 people were killed in the accident and at least a dozen were injured in the blast.
Cardinal Bertone stated that Pope Francis was saddened by the news of the incident in Ecatepc. The letter, which was sent to Bishop Oscar Roberto Dominguez Couttolenc, expressed the Holy Father’s “spiritual closeness” to the victims of the explosion.
“His Holiness Pope Francis wishes to send, through Your Excellency, his condolences to the families of the deceased, together with expressions of consolation and affection for all those wounded, with the strong desire for their quick and complete recovery,” the telegram stated.
The letter concluded with the assurance of the Holy Father’s prayers along with his apostolic blessing “as a sign of hope in the Risen Christ.”
— — —
On ZENIT’s webpage
For the full text of the telegram, go to:
