Pontiff deeply saddened by loss of life caused by explosions in Kerman, Iran

Pope Francis was “deeply saddened” to learn of “the loss of life” caused by the explosions in Kerman, Iran, on Wednesday, 3 January, which killed more than 90 people and injured over 280 others.

In a telegram signed by Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Pope Francis “sends the assurance of his prayers for those who have died and for their grieving families. Likewise expressing his spiritual solidarity with the injured, His Holiness invokes upon all the people of Iran the Almighty’s blessings of wisdom and peace”, the message concludes.

The Islamic State group ( is ) claimed to be behind the two explosions at the tomb of Qassem Soleimani, the former commander of the Quds Force, a wing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The attack was carried out while a crowd of people gathered at the tomb to commemorate the anniversary of Soleimani’s death. The former commander was killed in Baghdad in 2020, during a raid carried out by the United States.