Pope mourns dead, including Muslim leader, after Nigerian plane crash

Published: 2006-11-01

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI mourned the deaths of about 100 people, including the spiritual leader of Nigeria's Sunni Muslims, in an airline crash. The pope prayed for those who died after a plane crashed Oct. 29 immediately after takeoff from the Nigerian city of Abuja. Only a few passengers survived. Officials said among those killed in the crash was Muhammadu Maccido, spiritual leader of the country's Sunni Muslims. The pope expressed his deep sadness over the "tragic air disaster in Nigeria" in a telegram sent Oct. 30 from the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, to Archbishop John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan of Abuja. "His Holiness wishes to convey his heartfelt condolence to the families of all who mourn their loved ones," the telegram said.

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