Pope Leo prayers for victims of Iraq’s fire

Pope has assured victims of a shopping centre fire in Iraq of his “spiritual solidarity”, expressing his closeness especially to those injured in the tragedy and to the families of those who lost loved ones.

The Pope commends the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of the Almighty, and offers his prayers for the emergency personnel who continue to assist, while invoking on all “the divine blessings of strength, consolation, and peace.”

At least 69 people were killed when a fire broke out in a new shopping centre in the Iraqi city of Kut in Wasit Province in eastern Iraq. Eleven others have been reported missing.