Pope Leo XIV sends condolences after deadly train collision in Toledo, Spain
In a telegram signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the pope offered his sympathy to the families of those killed when two trains collided in Urda, in the central Spanish province of Toledo
Pope Leo XIV expressed his deep sorrow on Wednesday, October 28, over a rail accident in Urda, a town in the province of Toledo in central Spain, in which two trains collided, leaving people dead and injured. The Holy See sent the message in a telegram signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state. In it the pope offered his condolences to the relatives of those who died, expressed his closeness to the injured and said he hoped they would recover soon.
In the same telegram, Leo XIV asked rescue teams to persevere in their work of rescue and assistance for those affected. The message ended with his apostolic blessing to everyone involved, offered as a "sign of hope in the risen Lord."
The Spanish bishops' response
The Spanish Bishops' Conference, Spain's counterpart of the USCCB, released a statement the same day joining in the grief of all those affected by the crash and asking Christian communities to pray for all the victims. The bishops said they wanted to be close to the families of the dead and prayed for the eternal rest of those who lost their lives. They also prayed for those working in the emergency response, caring for the injured and supporting the bereaved.
Solidarity from Latin America
Messages of solidarity came quickly from Latin America. The president of Mexico reaffirmed her support for those affected and instructed the foreign ministry to check whether any Mexican citizens were among the victims. Colombia's government expressed its solidarity with the Spanish government and people through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Argentina conveyed its "profound sorrow" at what had happened.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez offered his condolences. Peru expressed its "deep dismay," and Chile sent a message of support in what its authorities described as "moments of grief." Venezuela, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic and Honduras also expressed their shock and their solidarity with Spain over the crash in the province of Toledo.
