Vatican City, 08 January, 2020 / 12:39 pm (ACI Africa).
Pope Francis has offered his prayers for the souls of the 176 passengers of a Ukrainian International Airlines flight, who died when the plane crashed near Tehran, Iran on Wednesday.
The deadly crash took place Jan. 8, approximately 10 minutes after the plane took off from Imam Khomeini international airport at 6:12 am local time.
“Pope Francis commends the souls of the deceased to the merciful love of the Almighty, and he sends condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives,” stated a Jan. 8 message.
Signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the telegram said the pope heard the news with “deep sadness.”
“Upon all affected by this tragedy, His Holiness invokes God’s blessings of strength and peace,” it concluded.