The following is the telegram of condolence for the victims of the shooting yesterday in Highland Park, Chicago, United States of America, sent on behalf of the Holy Father Francis by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to His Eminence Cardinal Blase Cupich, archbishop of Chicago:

Telegram

HIS EMINENCE CARDINAL BLASE CUPICH
ARCHBISHOP OF CHICAGO

HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS WAS DEEPLY SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE SENSELESS SHOOTING THAT TOOK PLACE IN HIGHLAND PARK AND HE ASKS YOU TO CONVEY HIS SPIRITUAL CLOSENESS TO ALL AFFECTED BY THIS ATTACK. HIS HOLINESS JOINS THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY IN PRAYING THAT ALMIGHTY GOD WILL GRANT ETERNAL REST TO THE DEAD AND HEALING AND CONSOLATION TO THE INJURED AND BEREAVED. WITH UNWAVERING FAITH THAT THE GRACE OF GOD IS ABLE TO CONVERT EVEN THE HARDEST OF HEARTS, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO “DEPART FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD” (PS34:14), POPE FRANCIS PRAYS THAT EVERY MEMBER OF SOCIETY WILL REJECT VIOLENCE IN ALL OF ITS FORMS AND RESPECT LIFE IN ALL OF ITS STAGES. AS A PLEDGE OF STRENGTH AND PEACE IN THE LORD, THE HOLY FATHER SENDS HIS BLESSING.

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
SECRETARY OF STATE