Vatican City, May 2, 2006 / 22:00 pm
Pope Benedict has sent his personal condolences, by way of Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano, for the victims of an Armenian plane crash which occurred yesterday night off Russia’s Black Sea coast. All 113 passengers on board are now believed dead.
In the telegram, sent to the Apostolic Nuncio in Armenia, Cardinal Sodano wrote that “the Holy Father bows before the many victims and calls on them the Mercy of Our Lord, asking Him to welcome them in His kingdom of Peace.”
Likewise, he said that the Holy Father had asked him “to express his vivid sympathy and assurances the families of the disappeared of his prayers, as well to all those who have been affected. by this tragedy and as well to the authorities and to all the Armenian people.”
The Airbus A-320 belonging to the Armenian airline Armavia was bound for Sochi, a Black Sea resort town.