Pope offers prayers as two Italian women remain missing after Spain train crash

VATICAN CITY-- Pope Leo XIV has sent his condolences after Spain’s train disaster, The Holy See press Office said. Two Italian women remain missing following the crash near Toledo, according to Italy’s foreign ministry.

  The death toll from Wednesday’s collision between Renfe and Iryo’s high-speed trains rose to 69, regional president, Emiliano Garcia-Page, said Thursday. Spain has declared three days of national mourning, ending Oct.31. 

  Recordings published by Spanish daily El País appear to show that controllers authorized the Renfe train to proceed at “normal speed” while the Iryo train remained stationary. The cause remains under investigation.

  In a statement released Thursday, the pontiff offered prayers for the dead, comfort to the grieving families and wishes for the recovery of the injured. The message was addressed to Archbishop Francisco Cerro Chaves of Toledo.

  One of the  three Italian women who had been identified as travelling on the Renfe train had initially been listed as missing, until she contacted the Italian consulate in Madrid to say she was safe, the foreign ministry said Thursday. 

  The ministry Identified nine Italians involved in the crash, including five who are found in good condition and one in hospital in Toledo.

  At Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani’s request, consular staff were visiting hospitals and centers for survivors to gather information and assist those affected, the ministry said.

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