Pope Sends Condolences to Victims of Gas Tanker Explosion in Mexico

Pope Francis expressed his condolences to victims of a tragic gas truck explosion that took place in front of the Cuajimalpa Maternal Hospital in Mexico City.

The blast occurred on the morning of Thursday when a tanker truck began to leak. The workers of the truck tried frantically to repair the leak and began telling people to leave. The hospital was in the midst of evacuation when the tanker exploded. A nurse and two babies died while over 70 people, including 21 infants, were injured.

The Holy Father sent a message through Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin. "Pope Francis, deeply saddened upon hearing the painful news of the explosion which occurred near the Cuajimalpa Maternal Hospital, which has caused many victims and wounded, among them many children, offers his prayers for the eternal repose of the departed," the statement read.

The statement was sent to the Archbishop of Mexico City, Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera. The Holy Father also sent a message on his Spanish-language Twitter account, calling on the faithful to pray for the victims and the wounded.

"Let us pray for the victims of the explosion at the hospital in Cuajimalpa, Mexico, and for their families" the tweet stated. "May the Lord grant them peace and strength."