Pope Francis praying for missing
Chilean plane
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| Archive photo taken at Chile's Antartic base sowing a Chilean Air Force C-130 Hercules cargo plane (AFP) |
Pope Francis expresses closeness and concern for the
families of 38 people on board a Chilean Air Force transport plane that has
gone missing in Antartica.
By Linda Bordoni
Pope Francis said he is closely following the news of the
Chilean Air Force transport plane carrying 38 people that vanished en route to
Antartica.
In a telegramme, signed on his behalf by the Vatican
Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Pope assured his spiritual
closeness to the Chilean people and to the families of those on board the
missing plane.
The C-130 Hercules carried 17 crew members and 21
passengers, including three civilians. It took off on Monday afternoon
from the city of Punta Arenas in Chile’s Patagonia region on a mission to
provide logistical support to a military base on Antarctica's King George
Island when all contact was lost. A search-and-rescue mission is under way.
In his message the Pope said he is praying to the Lord to
grant hope to all those affected in this moment of uncertainty. He also said he
is praying for all those involved in the search and rescue operations, and he
imparted his Apostolic Blessing upon all who affected.
Chile maintains a scientific base on Antarctica, conducting
research on climate change and medicine. Military planes provide the only
travel possibilities, frequently transporting civilians.
Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil said they were sending crews
to assist in the search.
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