Pope Francis expressed his condolences for the death of at least 40 people in a Coptic Orthodox church in Egypt. The Vatican Press Office published a telegram sent by the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, remarking “His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the recent fire in the Abu Sefein church in Giza, which caused the death of many, including several children and Bishop Abdul Bahkit.” The text was sent this August 18 to the Orthodox Pope of Alexandria, Tawadros II.
On Sunday, August 14, at least 40 people, including 35 children, were killed at the Abu Sefein church in Giza. The deceased children were between 2 and 6 years old.
The fire would have blocked the exit of the church and that caused a stampede inside the temple, where thousands of people arrived for Mass.
The Vatican telegram notes that Pope Francis offers “his deepest condolences to him and assures his spiritual closeness to those injured and affected by this tragedy.”
The Holy Father entrusts “the victims and their families to the merciful love of Almighty God and invokes all the consolation and strength in the Lord.”