Pope Francis has expressed his condolences to all the loved ones of those killed in a Russian plane that crashed over Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula on Saturday.
In a telegram sent to President Vladimir Putin yesterday by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, on the Pope’s behalf, the Holy Father assured the Russian people of his prayers and invoked upon the nation and all involved in recovery efforts, the strength and peace of God.
Shortly after the Airbus A321, traveling from Sharm el-Sheikh to St. Petersburg, took off in the Sinai Peninsula, it crashed, claiming the lives of all 224 people on board. According to the head of Russia’s federal aviation agency, the investigation into the crash’s cause is underway.
Below is the text of the Pope’s telegram, published by the Vatican yesterday.
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HIS EXCELLENCY VLADIMIR PUTIN
PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
HAVING LEARNED WITH SADNESS OF THE TRAGIC CRASH OF THE RUSSIAN AIRLINE IN THE SINAI PENINSULA, HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS CONVEYS HIS CONDOLENCES TO YOU AND THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE. HE OFFERS THE ASSURANCE OF HIS PRAYERS FOR ALL WHO HAVE DIED AND FOR THOSE WHO MOURN THEIR LOSS. UPON THE NATION AND ALL INVOLVED IN THE RECOVERY EFFORTS HIS HOLINESS INVOKES THE STRENGTH AND PEACE OF ALMIGHTY GOD.
CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
SECRETARY OF STATE
[Original Text: English] [Provided by the Vatican]
