The following is the telegram of condolence for the victims of the shipwreck of the Spanish fishing vessel Villa de Pitanxo, which occurred last Tuesday off the coast of Newfoundland, sent on behalf of the Holy Father by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to Archbishop Julián Barrio Barrio of Santiago de Compostela:

Telegram

ARCHBISHOP JULIÁN BARRIO BARRIO

OF SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

UPON HEARING THE SAD NEWS OF THE SINKING OF THE FISHING BOAT VILLA DE PITANXO, WHICH OCCURRED ON 15 FEBRUARY, OFF THE COAST OF CANADA, AND IN WHICH SEVERAL PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES, THE HOLY FATHER EXPRESSES HIS HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES, AS WELL AS HIS SOLIDARITY, IN THESE MOMENTS OF SORROW.

HIS HOLINESS FRANCIS PRAYS TO GOD FOR THE ETERNAL REPOSE OF THE VICTIMS AND EXPRESSES HIS CLOSENESS TO THE FAMILIES WHO MOURN THEIR LOVED ONES. HE ALSO COMMENDS TO THE MERCY OF THE LORD AND TO THE MATERNAL CARE OF THE MOTHER OF GOD THE PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THIS TRAGEDY, WHILE IMPARTING THE APOSTOLIC BLESSING, AS A PLEDGE OF THE CONSTANT HELP OF THE ALMIGHTY AND AS A SIGN OF SURE HOPE IN THE RESURRECTION.

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN

SECRETARY OF STATE