Condolences

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People participate in a funeral procession of president Ebrahim Raisi and his seven aides in Tabriz, East Azerbaijan province, on May 21, 2024.

Pope expresses ‘spiritual closeness’ to Iran after death of president in helicopter crash

May 21, 2024

By Daniel Payne

In a telegram, the Holy Father sent “condolences upon the deaths of President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and ... Read more

Emergency crew members work at the scene after a bus accident near Venice on Oct. 3, 2023, in Mestre, Italy.

Pope offers prayers to victims of deadly bus crash in Venice, Italy

Oct 6, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Authorities reported that the bus broke out in flames after crashing. At least 21 people were reported dead by Friday... Read more

St. Pope John Paul II greets former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Pope Francis sends condolences after death of Silvio Berlusconi

Jun 12, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The Italian billionaire media baron died on June 12 at the age of 86. He was Italy’s longest-serving head of... Read more

Pope Francis at his general audience in St. Peter's Square on May 17, 2023.

Pope Francis offers condolences after 9 die in northern Italy floods

May 18, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Thousands have been evacuated from the worst-hit areas, which include Ravenna, a city famous for its churches’ sixth-century Byzantine mosaics. Read more

Pope Francis prayed for peace in his Angelus address following Mass in L'Aquila, Italy.

Pope Francis offers condolences after 69 die in Nepal plane crash

Jan 16, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The plane was carrying 72 passengers from Kathmandu to Pokhara, a popular base for trekkers in the Annapurna mountain range... Read more

Pope Francis receives Cardinal George Pell in a private audience at the Vatican Oct. 12, 2020.

Pope Francis praises Cardinal George Pell’s dedication to the Church

Jan 11, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis remembered Cardinal Pell’s “dedication to the Gospel and the Church.” Read more

Queen Elizabeth greets Pope Francis at the Vatican in 2014.

Pope Francis praises Queen Elizabeth’s ‘steadfast witness of faith in Jesus Christ’

Sep 8, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Pope Francis in a telegram late Thursday offered his condolences and prayers upon the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s... Read more

Pope Francis prays with journalists on the papal flight en route to South Korea, August 14, 2014.

Pope Francis sends condolences to Queen Elizabeth for death of Prince Philip

Apr 10, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

"His Holiness commends him to the merciful love of Christ our Redeemer." Read more

CNA

Pope fervently praying for apartment gas explosion victims

Aug 8, 2013

Pope Francis is “deeply saddened” to hear about the 11 people killed and 60 injured by a natural gas explosion... Read more

Bishop Gennaro Pascarella blesses the coffins of the 38 bus crash victims on July 30, 2013. ANSA/Ettore Ferrari.

Pope joins in prayers for Italian bus crash victims

Jul 30, 2013

Pope Francis has sent his “deepest condolences” and is offering “fervent prayers” as family and friends gathered today to mourn... Read more