(ANSA) - VATICAN CITY, FEBRUARY 23 - "With pain I learned of the tragic attack in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in which the young Italian ambassador Luca Attanasio, the thirty year old carabiniere Vittorio Iacovacci and their Congolese driver MustaphaMilambo lost their lives".
Pope Francis writes this in a telegram of condolence sent to the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella.
"I express my heartfelt condolences to their families, the Diplomatic Corps and the Carabinieri for the disappearance of these servants of peace and law".
"Let us gather the exemplary testimony of the ambassador - continues the Pontiff in the message -, a person with outstanding human and Christian qualities, always prodigal in his fraternal and cordial relationships, for the re-establishment of peaceful and harmonious relations within that African country; as well as that of the carabiniere expert and generous in his service and close to forming a new family ".
"While I raise prayers of suffrage for the eternal rest of these noble sons of the Italian nation - he adds -, I urge you to trust in God's Providence, in whose hands nothing has been lost for the good accomplished, especially when it is confirmed with suffering and sacrifice".
"To you, Mr. President, to the relatives and colleagues of the victims and to all those who mourn for this mourning I send my blessing heartily", concludes Pope Bergoglio.
(HANDLE).
