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Pope petitions God for Air France dead

By  Lise Alves, Catholic News Service
  • June 4, 2009
{mosimage}SAO PAULO, Brazil  - Pope Benedict XVI sent his condolences and apostolic blessing to the families of all those affected when Air France Flight 447 disappeared above the Atlantic Ocean.

The June 2 telegram, signed by the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, said Pope Benedict begged God to welcome those killed “into his peace and light.”

The telegram was addressed to the apostolic nuncio to France, Archbishop Fortunato Baldelli.

Brazilian air traffic controllers lost contact with the plane at 10:30 p.m., when the plane disappeared from the radar between the Brazilian island of Fernando de Noronha and Cape Verde Islands, off the African coast. The plane was carrying 216 passengers and 12 crew members. All were believed dead.

Air France officials said the plane encountered heavy turbulence and possibly an electrical storm. The airline said that about 30 minutes after it disappeared, the plane sent out an automated signal indicating electrical malfunction.

Air France held an ecumenical prayer service at Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral June 3 for the families of passengers.
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