(OSV News): Pope Leo XIV expressed his condolences to the families of victims of a devastating accident in which two high-speed trains collided in southern Spain’s Andalucia region.
In a telegram sent on January 19 on the pope’s behalf to Archbishop Luis Javier Argüello García of Valladolid, president of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference, Pietro Cardinal Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, said Pope Leo was “deeply saddened to learn the painful news of the train accident in Adamuz” and offered “prayers for the eternal rest of the deceased.”
Cardinal Parolin wrote, “His Holiness conveys his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, together with his expressions of comfort, spiritual closeness, and wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
Invoking the intercession of Our Lady of the Pillar, patron of Spain, the pope encouraged rescue teams “to persevere in their efforts of relief and assistance.”
According to the Spanish newspaper El País, Spanish officials said 39 people died after a high-speed train traveling from Malaga to Madrid derailed in the evening of January 18 and fell onto another track, where it collided with a train heading in the opposite direction toward the southern Spanish town of Huelva.
The tragic collision occurred in Adamuz, a town in the southern province of Córdoba.
His Holiness conveys his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, together with his expressions of comfort, spiritual closeness, and wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured
Pope Leo, via Cardinal Parolin
As of January 19, 48 people remain hospitalised, 12 of whom were in critical condition, El País reported.
In a tweet posted to his X [formerly Twitter] account, Spanish Transportation minister, Óscar Puente, warned that the number of fatalities may continue to rise and expressed his gratitude to rescue teams working through the night.
Speaking to journalists at the accident site, Puente said the cause was unknown and that it was “extremely strange,” since the derailment occurred on a straight track renovated in May.
King Felipe, along with his wife and daughter, Queen Leticia and Princess Leonor, who were in Athens for the funeral of the king’s aunt, Princess Irene of Greece, expressed his “devastation and concern” and said he would travel to Adamuz as soon as possible.
“I understand the desperation of the families and those injured who have suffered this accident, and we are all truly worried. We hope they will recover as soon as possible,” he told journalists in the Greek capital.
The king, who is Catholic, also expressed his gratitude to the residents of Adamuz, who went out of their way to help survivors.
I join in the grief of their families. I ask that they find consolation and strength in the Lord in these moments of such great suffering
Auxiliary Bishop Francisco César García
Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, tweeted his condolences to the victims’ families, acknowledging that the accident was a cause of “profound sorrow for our country.”
Sanchez wrote, “No words can alleviate such immense suffering, but I want them to know that the entire country stands with them in this extremely difficult moment.”
José Cardinal Cobo of Madrid, expressed his sorrow and offered prayers for “the eternal rest of the victims, for the recovery of the injured, for their families, and for those who dedicate themselves to assistance efforts.”
Auxiliary Bishop Francisco César García Magán of Toledo, secretary general of the Spanish Bishops’ Conference, wrote that he was “devastated” by the train accident and prayed for the victims and their families and for the quick recovery of those hospitalised.
“I join in the grief of their families. I ask that they find consolation and strength in the Lord in these moments of such great suffering,” he wrote January 18 on X.
Father Rafael Prados Godoy, parish priest of St. Andrew’s Church in Adamuz, where the accident occurred, together with parishioners, immediately mobilised and opened the church’s facilities to help those rescued.
According to the Diocese of Córdoba, the volunteers at the church received passengers from the train, providing them with food, drink, and shelter. Parishioners and residents in Adamuz brought food and supplies for those arriving.
Father Prados said the Diocese of Córdoba, as well as the local Caritas office, has offered to assist the parish with any supplies and resources needed in relief efforts.
