World prays for victims of plane crash in French Alps

Prayers are taking place around the world for the victims of yesterday's plane crash in the French Alps.

In the small German town of Haltern, which lost 16 pupils and two teachers from the Joseph Koenig school on the flight, a special Mass was said last night and the church is open all day now for prayers.

In a telegram yesterday, the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin writes that the Holy Father "joins in the grief of the families" of the victims, which include many children. Pope Francis is also praying for those who died "entrusting them to the mercy of God" and he has expressed his sympathy for all those affected by the tragedy, including rescue workers who are carrying out their duties in difficult conditions.

The German A320 Airbus carrying 150 people came down in a remote, snow-covered mountainous region in the French Alps. There were no survivors.

The full text of the telegram follows: Having learned of the tragic plane crash in the region of Digne, which caused many casualties, including many children, His Holiness Pope Francis joins in the grief of the families, expressing his closeness to them in sorrow.

He prays for peace for the deceased, entrusting them to the mercy of God that He might welcome them into His dwelling place of peace and light. He expresses his deep sympathy for all those touched by this tragedy, as well as for the rescue workers working in difficult conditions.

The Holy Father asks the Lord to give strength and consolation to all, and, as a comfort, he invokes upon them the abundance of divine Blessings.

Source: VIS/ICN