Pope Francis has expressed his “sentiments of closeness in the face of the tragedy” that claimed the lives of over 700 pilgrimages who died in a stampede outside the Islamic holy city of Mecca a while ago.
The Catholic priest, who is in the US on working visit, while speaking during an evening prayer service at the New York’s St Patrick’s Cathedral on Thursday, prayed for family of the victims. He also commiserated with the people of Saudi Arabia.
Pope Francis, who described the incident as tragic, said, “In this moment of prayer, I unite myself with you all in prayer to God, our father, all powerful and merciful.”
The pope is expected to address world leaders at the UN on Friday and also participate in an interfaith service at the September 11 memorial museum at Ground Zero, and celebrate mass at Madison Square Garden.
Pope Mourns Hajj Stampede Victims http://t.co/OJp6qBpEFR