Pope Francis expressed his prayers for the victims of a bus accident that occurred on October 3 in Mestre, in the municipality of Venice (Italy), which caused the death of at least 21 people and left 18 others injured. Among the deceased, there were at least two children.
The tragedy occurred after 7:45 pm (local time), when a bus carrying tourists from Piazzale Roma, in the historic center of Venice, to the Marghera area, fell about 15 meters from an overpass onto the railway tracks. After falling, the vehicle caught fire.
In a telegram sent to Bishop Francesco Moraglia, Patriarch of Venice, the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, points out that Pope Francis asks to send to the relatives of the deceased “the expression of his affectionate closeness.”
The Holy Father, Cardinal Parolin added, assures a “special prayer of suffrage” for the victims of the tragedy, and “implores the consolation of faith for their families.”
The Pope also asks God for a “prompt healing for the wounded” and “sends the paternal apostolic blessing.”