The Vatican’s Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin shared the Holy Father’s condolences for fire victims and their families through a telegram addressed to the country’s Bishop Kiro Stojanov of Skopje.
“His Holiness assures remembrance in prayer for those who lost their lives while invoking heavenly comfort for those who suffer the consequences of such a harsh trial,” the March 16 telegram stated.
The Holy Father wanted the bishop of Skopje “to convey to the families of the dead, mostly young people, the expression of his deep condolence” along with “spiritual closeness to the wounded.”
The deadly blaze broke out early Sunday morning when indoor fireworks were lit during a concert by DNK, a local hip hop duo, at Pulse nightclub, according to Al Jazeera.
North Macedonia’s interior minister, Panche Toshkovski, told journalists more than 1,000 young people were at the music establishment when the ceiling caught on fire and “rapidly spread across the whole discotheque, creating thick smoke.”
Kristina Serafimovska, head of Kočani Hospital, said most fire victims being treated are between 14 and 25 years old, many of whom suffered burns and carbon monoxide poisoning.
On X, North Macedonia’s minister of foreign affairs, Timco Mucunski, said the country is coordinating with institutions and “neighbors to ensure additional medical support if needed” for the fire’s victims.
Pope Francis was the first pontiff to visit the majority Eastern Orthodox nation in 2019. His historic visit to Skopje — the birthplace of St. Teresa of Calcutta — included a meeting with Catholic communities as well as an ecumenical and interreligious meeting with young people.