Parolin prayed for victims at the Elevador da Glória

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin paid tribute this Saturday to the victims of the Ascensor da Glória accident in Lisbon and offered prayers at the scene.

Accompanied by the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon, Rui Valério, and the Mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas, Parolin recited the “Our Father” and “Hail Mary” prayers before the dozens of people who passed by and joined in the moment.

The prayer took place in front of the site of the accident on September 3rd and where since then, bouquets of flowers, stuffed animals and even letters containing emotional words have been placed by the people.

At the end, Parolin exchanged brief words with Rui Valério and Carlos Moedas, as well as with citizens who approached him.

The Funicular da Glória, one of the historic elevators in the city of Lisbon and managed by the municipal company Carris, derailed on September 3, causing 16 deaths and two dozen injuries.

Parolin has been in Portugal since Friday and is participating this afternoon in the "Jubilee Commitment to the City", promoted by the Patriarchate of Lisbon at the Gulbenkian Foundation and attended by civil, municipal, judicial, military and public security authorities based in the territory of the Patriarchate of Lisbon.