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Pope Francis prays for children who died in fire in Russian shopping mall

A fire broke out on March 25 in a shopping mall in the Siberian city of Kemerovo, killing at least 64 people

Flowers, candles and toys outside the Zimnyaya Vishnya shopping centre in Kemerovo where at least 64 people were killed in fire Danil Aikin/TASS

Flowers, candles and toys outside the Zimnyaya Vishnya shopping centre in Kemerovo where at least 64 people were killed in fire

© Danil Aikin/TASS

VATICAN, March 26. /TASS/. Pope Francis is deeply saddened by the tragedy in a shopping mall in the Siberian city of Kemerovo, says a telegram signed by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and released on Monday.

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Russia mourns Kemerovo fire tragedy victims

"His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the fire which struck the Winter Cherry complex in Kemerovo, and he offers heartfelt condolences to all those affected by this tragedy. Entrusting the deceased, especially the many children who lost their lives, to the merciful love of God Almighty, His Holiness offers the assurance of his prayers for all who mourn their loss. With the assurance of his spiritual closeness to the authorities and emergency personnel as they assist the injured and continue their search for the missing, Pope Francis invokes upon all the divine blessings of peace and consolation," says the message released by the Holy See Press Office.

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