The following is the telegram of condolences for the victims of the tragic road accident which occurred on Wednesday near Arequipa, Peru, sent on behalf of the Holy Father Francis by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to H.E. Msgr. Javier del Río Alba, archbishop of Arequipa:

Telegram

MSGR. JAVIER DEL RÍO ALBA

ARCHBISHOP OF AREQUIPA

THE HOLY FATHER, UPON RECEIVING THE REGRETTABLE NEWS OF ANOTHER TRAFFIC ACCIDENT NEAR THE CITY OF AREQUIPA, WISHES TO CONVEY TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND TO ALL THE PEOPLE OF THIS BELOVED TOWN, HIS CLOSENESS AND AFFECTION IN THESE DIFFICULT MOMENTS OF SUFFERING.

LIKEWISE, HIS HOLINESS RAISES PRAYERS TO THE LORD AND IN PARTICULAR COMMENDS TO HIS MERCY THE ETERNAL REPOSE OF ALL THE VICTIMS, AS WELL AS THE INJURED, AND THEIR FAMILIES. POPE FRANCIS, INVOKING THE MATERNAL INTERCESSION OF THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD, IMPARTS HIS HEARTFELT APOSTOLIC BLESSING AS A SIGN OF CHRISTIAN HOPE IN THE RISEN LORD.

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
SECRETARY OF STATE OF HIS HOLINESS