The following is the telegram of condolence on the killing of two religious sisters of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart by armed attackers on Sunday 15 August in South Sudan, sent on behalf of the Holy Father Francis by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to Msgr. Mark Kadima, of the apostolic nunciature in South Sudan:

Telegram

MONSIGNOR MARK KADIMA

CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES, A.I.

APOSTOLIC NUNCIATURE IN SOUTH SUDAN JUBA

HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS WAS DEEPLY SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE BRUTAL ATTACK ON A GROUP OF SISTERS OF THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS LAST SUNDAY, RESULTING IN THE DEATHS OF SISTER MARY ABUD AND SISTER REGINA ROBA. HE OFFERS HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO THEIR FAMILIES AND TO THEIR RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY IN THE WAKE OF THIS SENSELESS ACT OF VIOLENCE. TRUSTING THAT THEIR SACRIFICE WILL ADVANCE THE CAUSE OF PEACE, RECONCILIATION AND SECURITY IN THE REGION, HIS HOLINESS PRAYS FOR THEIR ETERNAL REST AND THE COMFORT OF THOSE WHO GRIEVE THEIR LOSS. INVOKING UPON ALL TAKING PART IN THE MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL THE CONSOLATION AND STRENGTH OF THE RISEN LORD, VICTOR OVER SIN AND DEATH, THE HOLY FATHER CORDIALLY IMPARTS HIS APOSTOLIC BLESSING.

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN SECRETARY OF STATE