Vatican City, 5 March 2016 – Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin has sent a telegram of condolences on behalf of the Holy Father following the killing of four Missionaries of Charity, the Congregation founded by Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and another twelve people during an attack by gunmen on a rest home for the elderly in the Yemeni city of Aden yesterday. Two of the nuns murdered were Rwandan, one was Indian, and the fourth was from Kenya.

"His Holiness Pope Francis was shocked and profoundly saddened to learn of the killing of four Missionaries of Charity and twelve others at a home for the elderly in Aden. He sends the assurance of his prayers for the dead and his spiritual closeness to their families and to all affected from this act of senseless and diabolical violence. He prays that this pointless slaughter will awaken consciences, lead to a change of heart, and inspire all parties to lay down their arms and take up the path of dialogue. In the name of God, he calls upon all parties in the present conflict to renounce violence, and to renew their commitment to the people of Yemen, particularly those most in need, whom the Sisters and their helpers sought to serve. Upon everyone suffering from this violence, the Holy Father invokes God’s blessing, and in a special ways he extends to the Missionaries of Charity his prayerful sympathy and solidarity".