Pope sends condolences after death of pilgrims in Baghdad

Given below is the text of the telegram of condolence sent by Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano, in the Pope's name, to Archbishop Fernando Filoni, apostolic nuncio to Iraq, for the numerous pilgrims who died yesterday in a stampede on a bridge in Baghdad: "Deeply saddened by news of the terrible tragedy in Baghdad, near the Shiite mosque of al-Kazimiyah, which caused numerous victims among the pilgrims gathered for a commemorative celebration, the Supreme Pontiff charges Your Excellency to express to the civil and religious authorities, as well as to the families of the victims and the entire population, his feelings of sincere condolence. In entrusting to Divine Mercy those who died so dramatically, the Holy Father gives assurances of his prayers that a climate of reconciliation and reciprocal trust may finally be instated in that country, and he hopes that all believers in the One God will unite in deploring all forms of violence and cooperate for the return of harmony to the tormented land of Iraq." Source: VIS