Pope Francis sends a telegram addressing Russian President, Vladimir Putin, expressing his solidarity with the Russian people. The Pope offered his prayers for victims of an explosion in a mine that caused 51 deaths including miners and rescuers. In the telegram message sent by Cardinal Pietro Paroline on behalf of the Pope, the Holy Father expressed his sadness over the tragic mine explosion in Siberia. He offered the “assurance of his prayers for all who have died and for those who mourn their loss”.
In conclusion, he expressed his closeness with those undertaking the recovery efforts and invoked “the strength and peace of Almighty God.”
The methane explosion took place in the Listvyazhnaya coal mine in the Kemerovo region of Siberia on Thursday, marking one of the deadliest in years.