The two young sons of Pope Francis’ nephew, as well as their mother, were killed in a car crash this morning, according to police in Argentina.
The accident occurred earlier this morning on a stretch of road in Cordoba district to the northwest of Buenos Aires, announced police commissioner Carina Ferreyra.
Emanuel Horacio Bergoglio, the Pope’s nephew, was reportedly driving a car with his wife Valeria Carmona, 38, and their two children, Jose, aged eight months, and two-year-old Antonio. Reports suggest that the car collided with a truck that was travelling ahead of them.
Vatican spokesman Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi said “The Pope was informed about the tragic accident. He is deeply pained.” He added that Pope Francis asked “all who share in his grief to unite with him in prayer.”
Mr Bergoglio is son of the Pope’s late brother, Alberto Bergoglio. He has been hospitalised and is said to be in a serious condition.
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