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 morning:
***
His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
President of the Republic of Turkey
Ankara
His Holiness Pope Francis grieves to learn of the casualties caused by the bombing in Istanbul yesterday morning, and he expresses his prayerful solidarity with all touched by this tragedy. His Holiness asks you to convey his spiritual closeness to them, as well as to the personnel assisting the injured. Commending the souls of those who have died to the mercy of the Almighty, Pope Francis invokes divine strength and peace upon those who mourn, and upon the entire nation.
President of the Republic of Turkey
Ankara
His Holiness Pope Francis grieves to learn of the casualties caused by the bombing in Istanbul yesterday morning, and he expresses his prayerful solidarity with all touched by this tragedy. His Holiness asks you to convey his spiritual closeness to them, as well as to the personnel assisting the injured. Commending the souls of those who have died to the mercy of the Almighty, Pope Francis invokes divine strength and peace upon those who mourn, and upon the entire nation.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State
[Original text: English]
