The following is the telegram of condolence for the victims of the fire that broke out during the night in a discotheque in Kočani, North Macedonia, sent on behalf of the Holy Father Francis by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to Bishop Kiro Stojanov of Skopje:

Telegram

HIS REVEREND EXCELLENCY
BISHOP KIRO STOJANOV
OF SKOPJE

FOLLOWING THE DRAMATIC FIRE THAT BROKE OUT IN A DISCOTHEQUE IN KOČANI, CAUSING GREAT CONCERN THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE OF NORTH MACEDONIA, THE HOLY FATHER ASKS YOUR EXCELLENCY TO CONVEY TO THE RELATIVES OF THE DECEASED, MOSTLY YOUNG PEOPLE, THE EXPRESSION OF HIS PROFOUND CONDOLENCE, AFFIRMING HIS SPIRITUAL CLOSENESS TO THE INJURED. HIS HOLINESS ASSURES REMEMBRANCE IN PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES, AND AS HE INVOKES HEAVENLY CONSOLATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING THE CONSEQUENCES OF SUCH A HARSH ORDEAL, HE SENDS TO ALL HIS APOSTOLIC BLESSING.

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
SECRETARY OF STATE OF HIS HOLINESS