Vatican City, August 11 (RHC)--Pope Francis expressed his "closeness in a special way to those affected" by the tragedy caused by the fire in the industrial zone of Matanzas.

In his weekly meeting with the faithful in the Paul VI Hall of the Vatican, he said: "Let us ask our Mother, Queen of Heaven, to watch over the victims of this tragedy and their families".

"May she intercede for all of us before the Lord so that we may know how to give witness to faith and hope in the life of the future world. May God bless you."

Earlier, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, sent a telegram, on behalf of the Supreme Pontiff, to the highest ecclesiastical authorities of Cuba, in which he expressed his condolences for what happened on the island.