Vatican City, 12 July 2016 – Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin has sent a telegram on behalf of the Holy Father to Archbishop Francesco Cacucci of Bari-Bitonto, following a collision between two trains travelling on a single line in the province of Bari (in the Apulia region of southern Italy), in which 27 people lost their lives and more than 50 were injured.

Pope Francis expresses his heartfelt and cordial participation in the suffering of the many families affected, assuring them of his fervent prayers for the souls of those who died tragically. While invoking the Lord for a rapid recovery for the injured, he entrusts to the maternal protection of the Virgin Mary those who have been afflicted by this dramatic event and imparts the comfort of his apostolic blessing.