Vatican City, 14 March 2016 – Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, on behalf of the Holy Father, has sent a telegram of condolences to the president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, following the terrorist attack that took place yesterday at a central bus stop in the capital Ankara, in which 34 people were killed and more than a hundred injured.

"Deeply saddened to learn of the injury and tragic loss of life caused by the bombing in Ankara, His Holiness Pope Francis assures the Turkish people of his spiritual closeness and solidarity. He prays for the eternal rest of those who have died and for all who mourn their loss, as well as for the recovery of those affected by this heinous act of violence. Mindful of the generous service being rendered by security and emergency personnel, His Holiness invokes the divine blessings of peace, healing and strength upon the nation".

Likewise, again through the Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, the Holy Father sent his condolences in a telegram to Bishop Raymond Ahoua F.D.P., of Grand-Bassam, Côte d'Ivoire, where at midday yesterday a terrorist attack on a tourist resort in the coastal area of Grand-Bassam, sixty kilometres from the capital Abiyan, caused 16 deaths and numerous injuries.

"Upon learning of the deplorable attack at Grand-Bassam, His Holiness Pope Francis conveys his condolences to the bereaved and assures the injured of his spiritual closeness. He entrusts the victims to God's mercy, that He may welcome them into His peace and light. Participating in the sadness of the Ivorian people, the Holy Father once again condemns violence and hatred in all its forms. As a sign of consolation he invokes the abundance of divine blessings on Côte d'Ivoire and on all the families affected by this tragedy".