Pope sends telegram to Trump after deadly midair collision in US capital

Pope Francis in a telegram sent to the US president has expressed his “spiritual closeness to all those affected” by the midair collision of a passenger jet and a military helicopter that occurred above the Potomac River in the US capital. It appears that there were no survivors and all 67 people involved were killed The post Pope sends telegram to Trump after deadly midair collision in US capital first appeared on Catholic Herald. The post Pope sends telegram to Trump after deadly midair collision in US capital appeared first on Catholic Herald.

Feb 1, 2025 - 04:00

Pope sends telegram to Trump after deadly midair collision in US capital

Pope Francis in a telegram sent to the US president has expressed his “spiritual closeness to all those affected” by the midair collision of a passenger jet and a military helicopter that occurred above the Potomac River in the US capital.

It appears that there were no survivors and all 67 people involved were killed in what is the US’s first major commercial air crash in nearly 16 years, reports the BBC.

“In commending the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of almighty God, I offer my deepest sympathies to the families who are now mourning the loss of a loved one,” Pope Francis said in the 30 January telegram addressed to President Donald Trump.

“I likewise pray for those involved in the recovery efforts and invoke upon all in the nation the divine blessings of consolation and strength,” the Pope continued.

At around 9 p.m. local time on 29 January, an American Airlines flight carrying 60 passengers and four crew members from Wichita, Kansas, collided with an army helicopter as the plane was making its approach to land at Ronald Reagan National Airport. There were three soldiers aboard the helicopter.

As of 8 a.m. on 30 January, local officials in Washington said that 28 bodies had been recovered from the Potomac River.

“At this point, we don’t believe there are any survivors from this accident,” DC Fire Chief John Donnelly said during a 30 January news conference.

If that proves the case, this will be the deadliest air crash in the United States since a jet crashed near Buffalo, New York, on 12 February 2009, killing all 49 people on board. The cause of last night’s collision is still unknown.

Passengers on the plane included a group of figure skaters, along with their coaches and family members, according to US Figure Skating. They were returning from a training camp following the US Figure Skating Championships in Wichita.

Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington called for prayers for all those effected by the tragedy.

“May we be united in prayer for all those tragically impacted by the accident near Reagan Airport,” Burbidge said in a statement. “We ask God to embrace them in his love, to grant strength to their families, and to watch over all first responders.”

Similarly, Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore urged people to pray.

“Our hearts go out to those who lost their lives in the tragic collision at Reagan National Airport,” Lori said in a statement. “Let us pray for them and for their loved ones who mourn them. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the first responders during this very difficult time.”

President Trump spoke late on 29 January, saying he had been briefed on the situation.

“May God Bless their souls,” Trump said. He also expressed thanks for the “incredible work being done by our first responders”, before adding: “I am monitoring the situation and will provide more details as they arise.”

The BBC reports that President Trump is expected to speak again at 11 a.m. EST (4 p.m. GMT) about the crash.

This is the second telegram that Pope Francis has sent to the newly elected president. On 20 January, the Pope sent a special inauguration telegram to Donald Trump, wishing him and the US well during his second term in office.

Photo: Investigators walk the grounds of the Reagan National Airport as they work near the crash site in Arlington, Washington, DC, USA. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images.)