The Vatican has expressed its solidarity and sorrow for the fire that occurred on 23 September 2023 in Sèmè-Kraké, a town on the border between Benin and Nigeria. The fire, caused by the explosion of a clandestine fuel depot, killed at least 35 people, including two children.
Pope Francis has sent a telegram of condolences to the bishop of Porto-Novo, Mgr Antoine Ganyé, expressing his “deep sorrow” at the tragedy. “At this moment of sorrow, my prayer joins with that of the entire Catholic community of Benin in remembering the victims and their families,” the Pope wrote.
The Holy See has also offered its help to assist the injured and the families of the victims. The Vatican’s solidarity and support for the victims of the fire in Sèmè-Kraké testify to the Catholic Church’s concern for the most vulnerable.
We publish below the telegram of condolences for the victims of the fire in Sèmè-Kraké in Benin, sent – on behalf of the Holy Father Francis – by the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin to the Bishop of Porto Novo, H.E. Mgr Aristide Gonsallo:
Telegram
TO HIS EXCELLENCY
MONSIGNOR ARISTIDE GONSALLO
BISHOP OF PORTO-NOVO
PORTO-NOVO
HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCISCO HAS RECEIVED WITH SORROW THE NEWS OF THE TRAGIC FIRE THAT OCCURRED IN SÈMÈ KRAKÉ ON 23 SEPTEMBER AND THE LOSS OF HUMAN LIVES IT CAUSED. JOINS THE BEREAVED FAMILIES IN EXPRESSING HIS SOLIDARITY AND SORROW. PRAYS FOR THE REPOSE OF THE DECEASED, COMMENDING THEM TO THE MERCY OF GOD, AND FOR THE HEALING OF THE INJURED. ALSO EXPRESSES ITS SUPPORT FOR THOSE ACCOMPANYING THE VICTIMS OF THIS TRAGEDY. ASKING THE VIRGIN MARY TO BRING STRENGTH AND CONSOLATION TO ALL THOSE AFFECTED BY THIS TRAGEDY, THE HOLY FATHER INVOKES DIVINE BLESSINGS ON EACH PERSON AND ON THE WHOLE NATION AS A SIGN OF CONSOLATION.
CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
SECRETARY OF STATE OF HIS HOLINESS
[Original text: French]
