Pope Francis has expressed his condolences to the victims of a tragic fire last week at a nursing home in L’Isle-Verte, Quebec. The fire broke out just after midnight on Thursday, January 22.
At least 19 people died in the blaze, while 13 are officially listed as missing. Rescue efforts were hampered by the bitterly cold winter temperatures.
In a letter of condolence, the Vatican Secretary of State Archbishop Pietro Parolin, said Pope Francis, upon hearing of the tragedy in L’Isle Verte, “united himself in prayer in the grief of the bereaved families, and entrusted the victims to the mercy of God, that they might be accepted into his light.”
The Holy Father “expressed his spiritual closeness to the injured and their families, as well as the firefighters and rescue workers who have performed a great work of solidarity,” especially given the bitter winter weather.”
As a “sign of confort,” Archbishop Parolin wrote, Pope Francis imparted a special Apostolic Blessing “to all those affected by this tragedy.”