Pope Francis sends condolences on death of Iran's President Raisi

By Vatican News

Pope Francis has sent a telegram offering his condolences over the deaths of President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran, the nation's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and all who perished in the helicopter crash of 19 May. 

The Holy See Press Office published the text of the telegram in which Pope Francis writes, "entrusting the souls of the deceased to the mercy of the Almighty, and with prayers for those who mourn their loss, especially their families, I send the assurance of spiritual closeness to the nation at this difficult time." 

The telegram was sent to Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, who has announced five days of mourning. 

President Raisi and his entourage died in a helicopter crash in a mountainous area of the northwest of the country, following a visit to neighbouring Azerbaijan, where they had been meeting with President Ilham Aliyev.