In his Sunday address at St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis expressed his grief at the deaths in the Mount Meron stampede on Lag B'Omer Thursday, which claimed the lives of 45 people and left some 150 injured in one of the biggest civil disasters in Israel's history.
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Most of the victims were laid to rest once the Sabbath was over on the night of May 1.
"With sadness, I express my closeness to the people of Israel for the incident … on Mount Meron that caused the deaths of 45 people and numerous injured. I assure the victims and their families that I will remember them in prayer," Francis said.
Video: Reuters
"I assure the victims and their families that I will remember them in prayer," he added.
Francis' words came after world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as Arab leaders, reached out to express their condolences.
Even Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas sent President Reuven Rivlin a letter of condolence on Friday morning that read, "We are praying to the Lord for mercy to victims and speedy recovery to those who suffered injuries, and for the families of victims."
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