Here is a translation of the telegram that the Holy Father Francis sent, through the Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, to Chile’s Military Ordinary, H.E. Monsignor Santiago Jaime Silva Retamales, for yesterday’s disappearance of a military plane in the South of Chile.
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The Telegram
To His Excellency
Monsignor Santiago Jaime Silva Retamales
Military Bishop of Chile
The Holy Father is following closely the news arriving from that beloved country on the loss of contact with the Air Force plane, which was going to Antarctica.
He assures his spiritual closeness to the Chilean people and to all the families, and he prays that the Lord may give hope in this moment of uncertainty and support the search works and all those collaborating in it, in pledge of which he imparts the Apostolic Blessing.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State
[Original text: Spanish] [ZENIT’s translation by Virginia M. Forrester]