Pope Francis has sent his condolences for a tragic plane crash in Ethiopia, en route from the the Ethiopian capital of Addas Ababa to the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.
The message, sent on behalf of the Holy Father by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, states that the Pontiff “offers prayers for the deceased from various countries and commends their souls to the mercy of Almighty God.”
Pope Francis sent “heartfelt condolences” to their families, “and upon all who mourn this tragic loss, he invoked “divine blessings of consolation and strength.”
According to officials, the Ethiopian Airlines Boeing737 Max 8 crashed Sunday, March 10, killing all 157 passengers on board. This is the second Boeing737 Max 8 which has malfunctioned and crashed in less than six months.
Here is the Vatican-provided text of the telegram:
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Having learned with sadness of the Ethiopian Airlines plane crash, His Holiness Pope Francis offers prayers for the deceased from various countries and commends their souls to the mercy of Almighty God. Pope Francis sends heartfelt condolences to their families, and upon all who mourn this tragic loss he invokes the divine blessings of consolation and strength.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State
[Vatican-provided text]
