(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday offered his personal condolences for the people of Brazil after the plane crash which on Tuesday morning killed 71 people, including members of the Brazilian soccer team Chapecoense.
“I would like to remember today the suffering of the Brazilian people for the tragedy involving the football team, and to pray for the dead players, and for their families,” – the Holy Father said – “In Italy we understand the meaning of this event, because we remember the Superga air disaster of 1949. These are hard tragedies. We pray for them.”
The Superga air disaster happened on 4 May 1949, when a plane carrying the entire team of Torino F.C. crashed into the retaining wall at the back of the Basilica of Superga, which is on a hill overlooking Turin. The tragedy killed 31 people.
Earlier, Pope Francis had sent a telegramme of condolence to the Cardinal Archbishop of Brasilia in Brazil expressing his condolences.
In the message signed by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Pope Francis said he was dismayed by the tragic news of the plane crash in Colombia, which caused numerous victims of Brazil. The Holy Father also sent his condolences to all those who are mouning and commended the deceased to God the Father of Mercy.
Imparting his Apostolic Blessing, Pope Francis asked heaven for comfort and healing for the wounded, and the courage and consolation of Christian hope for all those affected by the tragedy.
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