The following is the telegram of condolence for the victims of the accident that occurred in the stadium in Brazzaville, in the Republic of the Congo, sent on behalf of the Holy Father Francis by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to the president of the Episcopal Conference of the Congo, Archbishop Bienvenu Manamika Bafouakouahou, metropolitan of Brazzaville:

Telegram

TO HIS EXCELLENCY
ARCHBISHOP BIENVENU MANAMIKA BAFOUAKOUAHOU
PRESIDENT OF THE ECC
BRAZZAVILLE

ON LEARNING WITH SORROW OF THE TRAGIC ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED AT THE ORNANO STADIUM DURING AN ARMY RECRUITMENT OPERATION, HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS HAS ASKED ME TO ASSURE THE FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES OF THE DECEASED OF HIS SPIRITUAL CLOSENESS. HE ASKS THE MOST HIGH TO GRANT ETERNAL HAPPINESS TO THE DECEASED AND TO SUPPORT THE FAMILIES IN THEIR GRIEF AND SORROW, INVITING EVERYONE TO SHOW GREAT FRATERNAL AND SPIRITUAL SOLIDARITY WITH ALL THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING. HE PAYS TRIBUTE TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE COME TO THE AID OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN DISTRESS. HE IMPLORES FOR ALL THE BLESSINGS OF THE ALMIGHTY.

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
SECRETARY OF STATE OF HIS HOLINESS