His Holiness Pope Francis has expressed his condolences to victims of a plane crash that occurred near Bishoftu, some 50km from Ethiopia’s capital: Addis Ababa. In his telegram, the Pontiff “offers prayers for the deceased from various countries”, and sends his condolences to their families. He invokes “the divine blessing of consolation and strength” to all those who mourn.
As reported by Vatican news, The telegram sent by His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin on behalf of His Holiness Pope Francis read, “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. His Holiness 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.”
The Kenya-bound Ethiopia Airlines plane had taken off from Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa Airport 6 minutes prior to the fatal crash, which took the lives of all 159 people on board.
