Pope and Cardinal Nichols send condolence messages after Christmas market attack in Germany

Source: Vatican News, CBCEW

Pope Francis and Cardinal Vincent Nichols have written condolence messages to church leaders in Germany after a car crashed into crowds at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, on Friday evening, causing at least five deaths, including a nine-year-old child, and injuring more than 200 others.

In a message signed by the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, and sent to the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the Pope "shares in the grief of those affected" and "assures all the victims of his spiritual closeness."

The message also notes "all those who are working to support the victims at this difficult time." Pope Francis thanks them for their outreach, while he "prays for the deceased and entrusts them to Christ, our hope," invoking "from the heart divine support and consolation for all."

Cardinal Vincent Nichols has written to Fr Andreas Blum, at the German Chaplaincy in England, saying: "I write to you and the Catholic community in the German Church to express my deep sadness on hearing of the tragic events that unfolded at the Christmas market in Magdeburg on 20 December 2024.

"I pray that the Lord will grant comfort to the bereaved, healing to the injured, and peace to all affected. May you all find strength in our shared faith, trusting in God's infinite mercy and love.

"May the souls of the faithful departed rest in eternal peace. For those who die in Christ, we pray that death is not the end; they are sleeping until the Lord comes again.

"May the spirit of Christmas bring healing and peace, and the light of Christ shine ever more brightly in this vale of tears.

With my deepest sympathy."