Pope Leo XIV expressed his prayers for the victims of a train accident that occurred Sunday evening in southern Spain, responding to the "painful news" with a note to the president of the Spanish bishops' conference.
In a note published on January 19, 2026, and signed by the Pope's secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy Father assured his prayers for the eternal rest of the deceased.
The death toll is at 39 but 12 more of the victims are in ICU and another 31 are hospitalized.
The Pope conveyed "his deep concern and wishes for a speedy recovery" to the more than 120 injured. He encouraged the rescue teams to "persevere in their efforts to help and assist." Through the intercession of Our Lady of the Pillar, patroness of Spain, he imparted the "comforting apostolic blessing, "as a sign of hope in the risen Lord."
The message was sent to Archbishop Luis Javier Argüello García of Valladolid who is currently president of the Spanish Episcopal Conference.
The cause of the accident is not yet clear but it occurred when one high-speed train derailed and collided with another, oncoming high-speed train.
