Vatican City, Jul 20, 2021 / 15:00 pm
Pope Francis is “deeply saddened” by a bombing at a market in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, that killed at least 30 people.
In a telegram released by the Vatican on July 20, the pope offered his condolences to the families and friends of those who died in an explosion at the al-Wuhailat market as families prepared to celebrate the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha.
“His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life in the explosion at the al-Wuhailat market in Baghdad and he sends condolences to the families and friends of those who have died,” said the message sent on the pope’s behalf by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
The Sunni Muslim Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the bombing in the eastern Sadr City area of Baghdad, which is predominantly Shia Muslim.