Pope Francis has sent his heartfelt condolences to the families of victims killed in a deadly plane crash in the French Alps yesterday that claimed at least 150 lives including children.

The telegram was sent yesterday on behalf of the Holy Father by the Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to Bishop Jean-Philippe Nault of Digne. 

Yesterday morning, Germanwings flight 9525, an Airbus A320, on its way from Barcelona to Dusseldorf, crashed in the French Alps. There were no survivors.

In the telegram, the Pope expresses how upon hearing of the flight which claimed many lives in the French region, including children, he immediately shared in the grief of the families. He assured them of his closeness.

The Holy Father also commended those killed into God’s mercy, so they are welcomed “into His bosom and light," and expressed his deep affection for all those suffering.

The message concluded with Pope Francis praying the Lord grant His strength and comfort to those suffering, and imparting God's abundant blessings.

Owned by Germany's main carrier Lufthansa, the low-cost airline Germanwings, until this point, had an excellent safety record. According to media sources, the cause of the crash is still unknown.