Pope Expresses Condolences for Russian Plane Crash Over Sinai Peninsula

In Telegram, Assures Russian People of Prayers, Invokes God’s Strength, Peace

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Pope Francis has expressed his condolences to all the loved ones of those killed in a Russian plane that crashed over Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula on Saturday.

In a telegram sent to President Vladimir Putin yesterday by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, on the Pope’s behalf, the Holy Father assured the Russian people of his prayers and invoked upon the nation and all involved in recovery efforts, the strength and peace of God.

Shortly after the Airbus A321, traveling from Sharm el-Sheikh to St. Petersburg, took off in the Sinai Peninsula, it crashed, claiming the lives of all 224 people on board. According to the head of Russia’s federal aviation agency, the investigation into the crash’s cause is underway.

Below is the text of the Pope’s telegram, published by the Vatican yesterday.

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HIS EXCELLENCY VLADIMIR PUTIN

PRESIDENT OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

HAVING LEARNED WITH SADNESS OF THE TRAGIC CRASH OF THE RUSSIAN AIRLINE IN THE SINAI PENINSULA, HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS CONVEYS HIS CONDOLENCES TO YOU AND THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE. HE OFFERS THE ASSURANCE OF HIS PRAYERS FOR ALL WHO HAVE DIED AND FOR THOSE WHO MOURN THEIR LOSS. UPON THE NATION AND ALL INVOLVED IN THE RECOVERY EFFORTS HIS HOLINESS INVOKES THE STRENGTH AND PEACE OF ALMIGHTY GOD.

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN

SECRETARY OF STATE

[Original Text: English] [Provided by the Vatican]
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Deborah Castellano Lubov

Deborah Castellano Lubov is Senior Vatican & Rome Correspondent for ZENIT; author of 'The Other Francis' ('L'Altro Francesco') featuring interviews with those closest to the Pope and preface by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin (currently published in 5 languages); Deborah is also NBC & MSNBC Vatican Analyst. She often covers the Pope's travels abroad, often from the Papal Flight (including for historic trips such as to Abu Dhabi and Japan & Thailand), and has also asked him questions on the return-flight press conference on behalf of the English-speaking press present. Lubov has done much TV & radio commentary, including for NBC, Sky, EWTN, BBC, Vatican Radio, AP, Reuters and more. She also has contributed to various books on the Pope and has written for various Catholic publications. For 'The Other Francis': http://www.gracewing.co.uk/page219.html or https://www.amazon.com/Other-Francis-Everything-They-about/dp/0852449348/

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