2013-07-18 Vatican Radio

(Vatican Radio) “His Holiness Pope Francis shares wholeheartedly in the pain of the families afflicted by the death of one of their own, and in that of the leaders and organizers of the group.”

Pope Francis learned on Thursday of a tragic accident in French Guiana. A bus carrying young people to World Youth Day was hit head-on by a truck, leaving one young Parisian girl dead, and three other young people in critical condition.

In a message of condolence sent by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone on the Pope’s behalf to the Archdiocese of Paris, the Holy Father assured all those involved in the accident of his prayers, and expressed his deepest sympathy for the victims, as well as for the rescue workers and all those around them. Pope Francis sent a special Apostolic Blessing to all those affected by the tragedy.

The accident occurred about sixty kilometres from Saint-Laurent du Maroni (west), on the main road connecting the city to the capital Cayenne. The cause of the accident is not yet known.