The following is the telegram sent on behalf of the Holy Father Francis by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to the military Ordinary of Chile, Bishop Santiago Jaime Silva Retamales, following the disappearance of the military aircraft yesterday in southern Chile.

Telegram

TO HIS EXCELLENCY
BISHOP SANTIAGO JAIME SILVA RETAMALES
MILITARY ORDINARY OF CHILE

THE HOLY FATHER IS CLOSELY FOLLOWING THE NEWS FROM THIS BELOVED COUNTRY OF THE LOSS OF CONTACT WITH THE AIR FORCE AIRCRAFT BOUND FOR ANTARCTICA.

HE ASSURES HIS SPIRITUAL CLOSENESS TO THE CHILEAN PEOPLE AND TO ALL THE FAMILIES, AND HE PRAYS TO THE LORD TO GIVE HOPE IN THIS MOMENT OF UNCERTAINTY AND TO SUSTAIN THE SEARCH WORK AND ALL THOSE WHO COLLABORATE IN IT. AS A PLEDGE OF THIS HE IMPARTS HIS APOSTOLIC BLESSING.

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
SECRETARY OF STATE