Pope Francis today sent assurance of his prayers to the victims of Thursday’s accident in Mexico that resulted in more than two dozen deaths when a truck lost control and slammed into a procession.
The Holy Father sent a message through his secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to the bishop of Zacatecas, Sigifredo Noriega Barceló. The accident occurred in the city of Mazapil, in the central Mexican state of Zacatecas.
The truck slammed into the procession when it apparently lost its brakes. The faithful were progressing along the town’s main street, marking the Day of San Jesús of Nazareth, on pilgrimage to the church of San Gregorio Magno.
The death toll today was reported at 27, with as many wounded.
“The Holy Father extends his sincere condolences to the families of the victims, along with his assurances of consolation and closeness and wishes for a prompt recovery for the wounded,” the Pope’s message said. “At the same time, he imparts from the heart the comforting apostolic blessing, as a sign of hope in the Risen Lord.”