Pope sends condolences to victims of two suicide bombings in Iran January 5, 2024By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis expressed his condolences and prayers after two bombings in Kerman, Iran, claimed the lives of 84 people and wounded scores more at a memorial for an assassinated Iranian military officer. In a telegram sent on behalf of the pope Jan. 5, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, said the pope “was deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life caused by the recent explosions in Kerman.” “He sends the assurance of his prayers for those who have died and for their grieving families” and expressed “his spiritual solidarity with the injured,” the telegram said. The pope also “invokes upon all the people of Iran, the Almighty’s blessing of wisdom and peace,” it said. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the Jan. 3 attack in southern Iran, saying it was caused by two of its members wearing and detonating explosives. The blasts went off outside a cemetery where thousands had gathered for the anniversary of the assassination of Qasem Soleimani in 2020. Soleimani, whose militia force had fought against the Islamic State in Iraq, had been killed in Iraq in 2020 by a U.S. drone strike. Read More Vatican News World cannot remain indifferent to suffering of migrant children, pope says Vatican City mints new coins featuring face of Pope Leo XIV Pope Leo XIV offers prayers, financial assistance to disaster-stricken Colombia Pope Leo XIV urges sisters to foster vocations to religious life in United States Pope Leo night at White Sox baseball park maxes out stadium capacity Pope Leo says Sunday is ‘foundation and kernel’ of liturgical year Copyright © 2024 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Print
