Pope Leo, church leaders, pray for victims of Air India crash

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Prayers are being said around the world tonight for victims of the Air India flight 171 which crashed shortly after take off from Ahmedabad airport on Thursday with 242 people aboard, bound for London Gatwick Airport. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a residential area, including a residence for doctors.

Pope Leo XIV sent a message to express his "heartfelt condolences" to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the crash. In a telegram signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, the Pope said he was "deeply saddened by the tragedy involving an Air India aircraft near Ahmedabad."

Pope Leo assured everyone affected of his prayers for those involved in the recovery efforts, and commended the souls of the deceased to "the mercy of the Almighty."

The Air India plane was carrying 169 Indians, 53 Britons, 7 Portuguese, and 1 Canadian. Passengers included 217 adults, 11 children, and 2 infants, according to Reuters news agency.

Indian Prime Minister Nahrendra Modi called the crash "heartbreaking beyond words". He said the tragedy in Ahmedabad "has stunned and saddened us," expressing his closeness to everyone affected by the crash.

Rt Rev Bosco MacDonald, Bishop of Clifton said in a statement: "It is with great sorrow that I learned of the devastating crash involving Air India flight AI218 earlier today. The loss of life, the fear and anguish experienced by survivors, and the uncertainty facing families who still await news of their loved ones weigh heavily on us all.

'In a special way, my heart and prayers go out to the families in our own diocese who have been affected. The news that three members of the Gloucester community - Akeel Nanabawa, his wife Hannaa, and their daughter Sara - are believed to have been on board brings this global tragedy very close to home. I join the Gloucester Muslim Society in their grief and in offering our deepest condolences to all who mourn.

'In this moment of pain, we turn to the God who is close to the broken-hearted. Whether in Gloucester or elsewhere, every life lost or forever changed by this tragedy matters to God - and to us. May the families of all the victims be comforted with compassion, surrounded by solidarity, and upheld in prayer by people of every faith and goodwill.

I ask the Catholic communities across the Diocese of Clifton to pray this weekend for all those who have died, those who are injured, and for the many families - especially in Gloucester - left in shock and sorrow. May the light of Christ shine in this time of darkness."

The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) said the "heartbreaking incident … has left the nation in shock and mourning...We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of all those who lost their lives in this devastating accident.

"We humbly urge all our Catholic faithful and all people of goodwill across the country to join us in prayer for the victims of this tragedy - for the eternal rest of those who have died and for comfort to the bereaved," the prelates added.

"We stand in solidarity with the victims and their families and with all the rescue personnel working tirelessly at the crash site."