Pope offers prayers for victims of Brazilian air crash

Published: 2007-07-18

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI offered his prayers for the victims of the July 17 crash of a passenger jet in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and offered his condolences to the relatives and loved ones of the victims. Brazilian officials said July 18 that the number of dead could exceed 200. The plane, which slid off the rain-drenched runway after it landed, carried 176 people, all of whom were presumed dead. The plane crossed a highway and crashed into an office building and a gas station before bursting into flames. It was not immediately known how many people on the highway, in the building or at the gas station were killed. A telegram of condolence was sent in the pope's name to Archbishop Odilo Scherer of Sao Paulo by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state. The cardinal said the pope was saddened by the large number of victims, offered his condolences to those in mourning and promised his prayers for the repose of the souls of the deceased.

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