Pope Francis during a meeting with the St. Egidio charity organization at the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, Rome, on March 11, 2018. (Credit: FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / AFP / Getty Images)
(CNN) -
Pope Francis expressed his “deepest condolences” to the families of the Italian ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, an Italian soldier and Congolese driver who died in an attack in Rutshuru.
In a telegram addressed to the president of Italy Sergio Mattarella, the pope said that it was "with pain" that he learned of the "tragic attack" in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that killed "young" Italian ambassador Luca Attanasio, the Italian soldier Vittorio Iacovacci and the Congolese driver Mustapha Milambo.
"I express my deepest condolences to their families, the diplomatic corps and the Carabinieri military police for these servants of peace and the law," the statement said.
Italian ambassador dies in attack in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, says Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The pope praised the "exemplary reputation" of the ambassador, "a person of outstanding human and Christian qualities," who he said, was fundamental and always lavish in his work for the "restoration of serene and harmonious relations within that African country."
The pope also paid his respects to the "Carabiniere, expert and generous in his service who was expanding his family."
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"I pray for the suffrage and eternal rest of these noble sons of the Italian nation, I trust in the providence of God, in whose hands nothing of the good done is lost, especially when it is confirmed with suffering and sacrifice," said the pope.
"To those who cry this morning, I send my blessings," he concludes.
All three victims died when their car was attacked while traveling in a UN convoy in the eastern part of the country.
- With information from Valentina Di Donato from Rome.
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