Below is the Vatican-provided text of Pope Francis’ telegram, sent this morning on his behalf by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to the President of Turkey, expressing his sorrow for the terrorist attack in Ankara yesterday afternoon which claimed 37 lives:
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His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
President of the Republic of Turkey
Ankara
Deeply saddened to learn of the injury and tragic loss of life caused by the bombing in Ankara, His Holiness Pope Francis assures the Turkish people of his spiritual closeness and solidarity. He prays for the eternal rest of those who have died and for all who mourn their loss, as well as for the recovery of those affected by this heinous act of violence. Mindful of the generous service being rendered by security and emergency personnel, His Holiness invokes the divine blessings of peace, healing and strength upon the nation.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State
[Original text: English]
President of the Republic of Turkey
Ankara
Deeply saddened to learn of the injury and tragic loss of life caused by the bombing in Ankara, His Holiness Pope Francis assures the Turkish people of his spiritual closeness and solidarity. He prays for the eternal rest of those who have died and for all who mourn their loss, as well as for the recovery of those affected by this heinous act of violence. Mindful of the generous service being rendered by security and emergency personnel, His Holiness invokes the divine blessings of peace, healing and strength upon the nation.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State
[Original text: English]
