Pope ‘deeply saddened’ for lives lost in Iran explosions

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Pope Francis is deeply saddened by the loss of life following the deadly explosions in Kerman, Iran, on Wednesday and is praying for those who died or were injured, and for their grieving families.

The Holy Father's condolences were conveyed in a telegram sent Friday by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, on his behalf.

The Pope was "deeply saddened to learn of the loss of life caused by the recent explosions in Kerman," saying he sent "the assurance of his prayers for those who have died and for their grieving families."

Pope Francis also sent his "spiritual solidarity with the injured" and invoked "upon all the people of Iran the Almighty's blessings of wisdom and peace."

Almost 100 people killed, scores wounded 

On Wednesday, two explosions in Iran killed nearly 100 people and wounded scores more at a memorial for a commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp, Qassem Soleimani.  Iran's Red Crescent rescuers tended to wounded people at the ceremony.

A national day of mourning was observed on Thursday.

Also on Thursday, the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the attacks.

The militant Sunni Muslim group, through a statement posted on its affiliate Telegram channels, said two IS members had detonated explosive belts in the crowd that had gathered at the cemetery in the southeastern Iranian city of Kerman on Wednesday.

The deadly event comes amid rising tensions in the region with the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. It marks the bloodiest attack on Iranian soil since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.