Pope Francis expresses closeness to Muslims for hajj tragedy

Pope Francis  has expressed feelings of closeness to his Muslim brothers and sisters.

The Pope’s words came  before the homily during the celebration of Vespers in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York. Turning his attention to the stampede that on Thursday killed more than 700 pilgrims and injured at least 863 during the annual hajj pilgrimage on the outskirts of the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia as Muslims around the world marked the start of the Eid al-Adha holiday.

He said he would have wished that his greeting to his Muslim brothers and sisters as they celebrate the Feast of Sacrifice could have been warmer, but in solemn tones he expressed his closeness to all Muslims "in the face of the tragedy" suffered in the Mecca, and assured them of  his prayers and closeness.

Vatican Radio (Sept 25, 2015 )

Source: www.news.va