The following is the telegram of condolence for the victims of the shootings in the “Vladislav Ribnikar” Primary School in Belgrade and in the town of Mladenovac, sent to Archbishop Ladislav Nemet, S.V.D., of Beograd, on behalf of Pope Francis, by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin:

Telegram of the Holy Father

HIS MOST REVEREND EXCELLENCY

ARCHBISHOP LADISLAV NEMET OF BELGRADE

PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE

OF SAINTS CYRIL AND METHODIUS

BELGRADE

PROFOUNDLY SADDENED BY THE NEWS OF THE RECENT SHOOTINGS IN THE VLADISLAV RIBNIKAR PRIMARY SCHOOL OF BELGRADE AND IN THE TOWN OF MLADENOVAC, THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ASKS YOUR EXCELLENCY TO CONVEY HIS HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES AND THE ASSURANCE OF HIS PRAYER TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN AFFLICTED BY THESE SENSELESS ACTS OF VIOLENCE. HIS HOLINESS JOINS SPIRITUALLY IN THE HUMAN SUFFERING OF THOSE WHO MOURN THE DEATH OF INNOCENT VICTIMS WHOM HE COMMENDS TO THE LOVING EMBRACE OF THE RISEN LORD. THE SUPREME PONTIFF, AS HE INVOKES THE CONSOLATION AND THE STRENGTH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON THE GRIEVING FAMILIES AND ON THE INJURED, THAT THEY MAY BE SUSTAINED IN THEIR FAITH, IMPARTS THE COMFORTING APOSTOLIC BLESSING.

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
SECRETARY OF STATE