Servants of peace
and of the law

The following is a translation of the telegram sent by the Holy Father to the President of the Italian Republic, the Honorable Sergio Mattarella, following the attack that took place on Monday, 22 February, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in which the Italian Ambassador Luca Attanasio, the police officer Vittorio Iacovacci, and their driver Mustapha Milambo lost their lives.

I have learned with sorrow of the tragic attack that took place in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in which the young Italian Ambassador Luca Attanasio, the thirty-year old carabiniere Vittorio Iacovacci, and their Congolese driver Mustapha Milambo lost their lives. I express my heartfelt condolence to their families, to the Diplomatic Service and to the carabinieri for the loss of these servants of peace and of the law. Let us take heed of the exemplary witness of the Ambassador, a person of outstanding human and Christian qualities, unsparing in building fraternal and cordial relationships, for the re-establishment of serene and harmonious relations in that African country; and of the carabiniere, expert and generous in his service and about to form a new family. While I raise prayers of suffrages for the eternal repose of these noble sons of the Italian nation, I exhort confidence in the Providence of God, in whose hands nothing is lost of the good accomplished, especially when it is confirmed through suffering and sacrifice. To you, Mr President, to the relatives and colleagues of the victims and to all those who mourn this bereavement, I send my heartfelt blessing.

Francis