The following is the telegram of condolence for the victims of the terrorist attack on the “Plaine Savo” refugee camp in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on 2 February, sent on behalf of the Holy Father Francis by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to the president of the Central African country, His Excellency Mr. Félix Tshisekedi:

Telegram

TO HIS EXCELLENCY MR FÉLIX TSHISEKEDI

PRESIDENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

KINSHASA

HAVING LEARNED WITH DISMAY OF THE ATTACK ON A SITE FOR DISPLACED PERSONS IN "PLAINE SAVO" IN ITURI, IN THE NORTH-EAST OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (DRC), CLAIMING SEVERAL VICTIMS, MOSTLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN, HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS ASKS THE FATHER OF ALL MERCY TO WELCOME IN HIS PEACE AND LIGHT THOSE WHO HAVE DIED AND TO GIVE COMFORT TO THOSE WHO MOURN THEIR LOSS. HE IMPLORES THE DIVINE GIFTS OF HEALING AND CONSOLATION FOR THE WOUNDED AND THE BEREAVED TO WHOM HE EXPRESSES HIS SPIRITUAL CLOSENESS AND DEEP SYMPATHY. MAY THE LORD HIMSELF GIVE COURAGE AND STRENGTH TO THE GRIEVING FAMILIES, AS WELL AS TO ALL THOSE WHO ARE HELPING TO RESCUE THE VICTIMS. THE HOLY FATHER ONCE AGAIN STRONGLY CONDEMNS THIS HEINOUS AND BARBARIC ACT WHICH IS A SOURCE OF GREAT SUFFERING AND DESOLATION FOR THE COUNTRY. IMPLORING FROM GOD THE GIFT OF PEACE AND FRATERNITY IN THIS REGION OF GREAT SUFFERING, POPE FRANCIS INVOKES GOD’S BLESSINGS UPON YOU AND THE ENTIRE CONGOLESE PEOPLE.