Skip to content

Pope Francis Prays For Victims Of Dominican Republic Nightclub Roof Collapse

Pope Francis on Thursday offered prayers for the victims of a deadly nightclub collapse in the Dominican Republic that killed at least 200 people.

Pope Francis on Thursday offered prayers for the victims of a deadly nightclub collapse in the Dominican Republic that killed at least 200 people.

As of Thursday morning, a reported 218 people have been killed and more than 200 others injured after the ceiling of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo collapsed early Tuesday morning local time during a merengue concert, media reported.

The Holy Father said he was “deeply saddened” by the tragic events in the Dominican Republic’s capital city and offered his “prayers for the eternal repose of the deceased” in an April 10 telegram addressed to Archbishop Francisco Ozoria Acosta of Santo Domingo.

“His Holiness also extends his heartfelt condolences to the relatives of the deceased, together with his expressions of consolation, his heartfelt concern and his wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured,” the telegram signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin read.

While blessing the efforts of hospital and emergency crews caring for the injured and recovering the bodies of the dead from the rubble, the pope also invoked the help of the Mother of God for those mourning the loss of loved ones. 

The pope granted “through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, consoler of the afflicted, the comforting apostolic blessing as a sign of hope in the risen Lord.”

On Wednesday, the archbishop of Santo Domingo called for solidarity with the families affected by the tragedy in a video message: “We pledge our prayers for those who have died and we also want to join in with all the collaboration of many brothers and sisters, especially by assisting, donating blood, and trying to remedy this situation for the injured,” the prelate said.

Dominican Republic authorities stated Wednesday evening that it is too early to determine the cause for the iconic nightclub’s roof collapse and they will launch an investigation once the recovery of bodies has concluded, the Associated Press reported.

This article was originally published on Catholic News Agency.

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER HERE

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

More news related to this article

Pope Francis will not go to Paris for Notre Dame cathedral reopening

Pope Francis definitively ruled out the possibility of visiting France for the reopening of the Notre Dame cathedral on his return flight on Friday from Southeast Asia.

In the Places of Pier Giorgio Frassati in Turin

Nestled between the Alps in northern Italy, Torino gave the Church one of the most beloved modern witnesses of Gospel living: Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati.

Where Popes and Saints Retreat to Pray 

Mentorella: Where Saint John Paul II and Saints Found Solace and Spoke with God
Città del Vaticano - 28 novembre 2020: Papa Francesco ha creato 13 nuovi cardinali durante il Concistoro Ordinario Pubblico nella Basilica di San Pietro, il 28 novembre 2020.

It won’t be 21, but 20: Pope Francis accepts bishop’s request not to be created cardinal

One of the 21 chosen to be created cardinals of the Catholic Church on Dec. 7 asked Pope

Pope Francis: The Nativity is an Example of ‘Joy’ and ‘Amazement’

Pope Francis on Wednesday spoke during his last general audience before Christmas on the importance of approaching the coming of Christ with “joy” and “amazement

Holy See’s Delegation to the UN to Address Scourge of Internet Pornography

The Holy See’s delegation to the United Nations is organizing a March 19 event in conjunction with the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women titled “The Scourge of Pornography in the Digital Age.”

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTN.it