Vatican, 06 September, 2023 / 3:50 pm (ACI Africa).
Pope Francis has offered prayers for the victims of the August 31 inferno on a five-storey building in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Speaking to pilgrims who gathered in St Peter's Square for his weekly Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis said he learned “with deep sorrow” about the inferno that claimed the lives of at least 74 people, including 12 children, and 24 women.
"I ask you to join me in praying for the unfortunate victims,” the Holy Father said during his Wednesday, September 6 address, and added, “To the family members I express my condolences, and I send a special Blessing for them and for those who are working to provide assistance and support.”
The fire that gutted down the previously abandoned building hosting more than 200 homeless families in Marshalltown in central Johannesburg reportedly left at least 50 people injured.
On September 1, members of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) said the inferno was "of horrific proportions reminiscent of the Grenfell Towers fire in London in 2017."