Here is the Vatican-provided text of the telegram sent today on Pope Francis’ behalf, offering the Pontiff’s condolences to the victims of a plane crash this morning near the international airport of Manas in Kyrgyzstan’s capital of Bishkek, which claimed 37 lives. Flying from Hong Kong to Istanbul with a stopover at Manas airport, the plane landing was attempted in dense fog. However, it has not been confirmed that weather was the crash’s cause:
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DEEPLY SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE TRAGIC CRASH OF A CARGO PLANE NEAR BISHKEK, POPE FRANCIS SENDS HIS CONDOLENCES TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE LOST LOVED ONES, PARTICULARLY IN MANAS, AND COMMENDS THE SOULS OF THE DECEASED TO THE MERCY OF ALMIGHTY GOD. IN PRAYING FOR THE SEARCH AND RESCUE EFFORTS, HIS HOLINESS INVOKES UPON THE NATION THE DIVINE BLESSINGS OF STRENGTH AND CONSOLATION.
SECRETARY OF STATE
[Original text: English] [Vatican-provided text]
