HAVANA, Sept 2 (Reuters) - Pope John Paul II has sent a message of condolence to Cuba following the crash last weekend of a Cubana de Aviacion airliner that killed 80 people after careering off an airport runway in Ecuador.
"His Holiness John Paul II received with deep sorrow the sad news of a Cuban plane's accident in Quito airport, which has plunged some Cuban families into mourning,'' said a Vatican statement released by Cuba's Roman Catholic Church late on Tuesday.
``The Holy Father prays for the eternal rest of the dead and petitions the Lord to give comfort and spiritual calm to those who weep for the loss of loved ones.''
Twenty-four Cubans were killed in the Quito accident on Saturday afternoon, including the entire 14-member crew and 10 passengers. Three Cubans survived.
The pontiff has taken a special interest in Cuba since his historic five-day visit here in January. The statement on the crash, signed by the Vatican's Secretary of State Angel Sodano, was addressed to Cuba's Catholic head, Cardinal Jaime Ortega.
Aviation authorities in Havana have sent a team to Ecuador to help investigate the accident, but have given no indication so far of what may have been the cause.
09:17 09-02-98
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