The Pope has sent a message of sympathy to the Archbishop of Westminster, following the accident at the Apollo Theatre last night.
In a message from the Papal Nuncio to Britain, Archbishop Antonio Mennini, to Archbishop Vincent Nichols it was stated that “Having learnt the sad news of the tragic accident which occurred last night at the Apollo Theatre in Shaftsbury Avenue, where a large number of people were injured, I should like to convey to you, as Archbishop of Westminster, the closeness of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, as well as my own most sincere sympathy at this difficult time.
“While thanking God that there seem to have been no fatalities, the Holy Father would like to assure you of his prayers for all those persons who have been injured, as well as for their relations and friends. May the Lord bring comfort and healing to all whose lives have been touched by this sad event.”
He asked the archbishop to transmit the “kindly transmit these sentiments of the Holy Father” to those affected.
Seventy-six people were hurt after ornate plasterwork fell from the ceiling of the 112-year-old theatre, during a production of The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time. The collapsed happened at a quarter past eight, when the theatre had 720 people inside watching the show.
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