Pope Francis offered “heartfelt condolences” to people affected by the devastating apartment fire in the Bronx on Sunday, Jan. 9.
The fire killed 19 people, among them nine children, and injured more than 60 people. Although the flames only burned one apartment unit and an adjacent hallway, smoke spread throughout the 19-story building, making this one of the deadliest fires in the city since the 1990s.
In a telegram signed by the Vatican Secretary of State and addressed to the Archbishop of New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Pope communicated his sadness and spiritual closeness to those affected.
CT