Sedoc: Pope laments Air France tragedy Pope Benedict XVI on Tuesday in a condolence
telegram, expressed his sorrow and prayers on hearing the tragic news of an Air France
plane crash that claimed 228 lives, on a flight en route from Rio de Janeiro to Paris
on Sunday night. The Pope’s telegram, signed by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal
Tarciscio Bertone was addressed to Archbishop Fortunato Baldelli, apostolic nuncio
in France. The Pope expressed his profound condolences to the families in mourning
and assured them of his spiritual closeness and prayers. In the message, Pope
Benedict entrusted the victims to divine mercy, asking God to embrace them in his
peace and his light. The Pope gave his apostolic blessing to all those affected by
the tragedy and prayed to God to give his support and consolation to all the sorely
tried people. Air France announced an ecumenical prayer service at Paris' Notre Dame
Cathedral on June 3 for the families of passengers.