VATICAN CITY, Dec 22, Reuter: Pope John Paul on Thursday expressed shock over the crash ofa Pan American Jumbo Jet in Scotland and sent his condolences to the families of the victims.

A telegram sent in the Pope’s name to Archbishop Thomas winning of Glasgow by Secretary of State Cardinal Agostino Casaroli said:

“The Holy Father has been deeply shocked by news of the air disaster at Lockerbie and as he commends the victims of eternal rest he invokes almighty God’s gifts of comfort and strength on the injured and all affected by this tragedy.”

All 258 people on board the Boeing 747 died and at least 15 people were feared dead on the ground when it crashed in flames on Wednesday evening on to the town of Lockerbie, about 70 miles (110 km) south of Glasgow.

Article extracted from this publication >> December 30, 1988