Pope Francis has sent his “sympathy and closeness in prayer” to the people of Boston in a telegram sent on his behalf.
The
telegram reads “In the aftermath of this senseless tragedy, His
Holiness invokes God’s peace upon the dead, his consolation upon the
suffering and his strength upon all those engaged in the continuing work
of relief and response. At this time of mourning the Holy Father prays
that all Bostonians will be united in a resolve not to be overcome by
evil, but to combat evil with good (cf. Rom 12:21), working together to
build an ever more just, free and secure society for generations yet to
come.”
The full text of the telegram is below
His Eminence Cardinal Sean O’Malley
Archbishop of Boston
Deeply
grieved by news of the loss of life and grave injuries caused by the
act of violence perpetrated last evening in Boston, His Holiness Pope
Francis wishes me to assure you of his sympathy and closeness in prayer.
In the aftermath of this senseless tragedy, His Holiness invokes God’s
peace upon the dead, his consolation upon the suffering and his
strength upon all those engaged in the continuing work of relief and
response. At this time of mourning the Holy Father prays that all
Bostonians will be united in a resolve not to be overcome by evil, but
to combat evil with good (cf. Rom 12:21), working together to build an
ever more just, free and secure society for generations yet to come.
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone
Secretary of State