Pope Francis condoles Leader over Raeisi martyrdom

TEHRAN, May 21:– Pope Francis sends his condolences to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei over the martyrdom of Iran’s President Ebrahim Raeisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

Pope Francis has sent a telegram offering his condolences over the deaths of President Ebrahim Raeisi of Iran, the country’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and all who perished in the helicopter crash of 19 May.

“Entrusting the souls of the deceased to the mercy of the Almighty, and with prayers for those who mourn their loss, especially their families, I send the assurance of spiritual closeness to the nation at this difficult time,” the letter reads, Vatican News reported.

as Tabriz Friday prayer leader and the provincial governor.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian have martyred in a helicopter crash in the northwestern province of East Azarbaijan.

The helicopter carrying President Raeisi and his accompanying delegation crashed on Sunday in the Dizmar forest, nestled between the cities of Varzaqan and Jolfa in East Azarbaijan Province.

It was transporting Raeisi, Amir-Abdollahian, East Azarbaijan Governor Malek Rahmati, Friday Prayers leader of the city of Tabriz Seyyed Mohammad Ali Al-e Hashem, and a member of the president’s bodyguard team Mahdi Mousavi. The helicopter’s pilot, co-pilot, and crew were also among others on board the chopper.

President Raeisi and his accompanying delegation were returning from a ceremony to inaugurate a dam on the Aras River with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev.

(MNA)