Vatican City, Sep 21, 2016 / 05:41 am
After hearing of the murder of two priests in Mexico, Pope Francis sent a telegram to the country's bishops condemning the violent act, offering his prayers as a sign of closeness to the community and families affected.
"Deeply distressed upon receiving the sad news of the assassination of Reverends Alejo Nabor Jimenez Juarez and Jose Alfredo Suarez de la Cruz…the Holy Father expresses his sincerest condolences," read the telegram, sent Sept. 20.
Signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the telegram voiced the Pope's closeness to Bishop Trinidad Zapata of Papantla, where the priests served, as well as to all clergy, religious communities and faithful of the diocese.
He offered his prayers "for the eternal repose of these priests of Christ, victims of an inexcusable violence."