Pope Francis prays for Istanbul bombing victims

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has expressed his "prayerful solidarity" with victims of Saturday's bomb attack in Istanbul. 

In a telegramme addressed to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said Pope Francis "[grieved] to learn of the casualties caused by the bombing in Istanbul yesterday morning, and he expresses his prayerful solidarity with all touched by this tragedy." 

Below, please find the full text of the telegramme: 

His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
President of the Republic of Turkey
Ankara

His Holiness Pope Francis grieves to learn of the casualties caused by the bombing in Istanbul yesterday morning, and he expresses his prayerful solidarity with all touched by this tragedy.  His Holiness asks you to convey his spiritual closeness to them, as well as to the personnel assisting the injured.  Commending the souls of those who have died to the mercy of the Almighty, Pope Francis invokes divine strength and peace upon those who mourn, and upon the entire nation. 

                                                                         Cardinal Pietro Parolin
                                                                         Secretary of State