Vatican City, Mar 21, 2016 / 10:30 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis offered prayers over the weekend for victims of both a plane crash in Russia and a suicide bombing in Istanbul.

“His Holiness Pope Francis was saddened to learn of the tragic air accident in Rostov-on-Don and he sends his sincere condolences to the relatives and friends of the victims,” said a telegram from Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.