Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin has sent a telegram on behalf of the Holy Father to Archbishop Peter Takeo Okada of Tokyo, Japan, following an attack on a centre for the disabled in which a man armed with a knife killed 19 people. The centre, around 50 kilometres from Tokyo, was home to 149 residents, of whom 25 were injured, for the most part seriously.

“Saddened by the loss of life following the attack at the Tsukui Yamayurien facility for the disabled, His Holiness Pope Francis assures all affected by this tragedy of his closeness, and he sends his condolences to the relatives of the deceased and injured. Praying for healing during this difficult time, Pope Francis invokes upon the Japanese nation the divine blessings of reconciliation and peace”.