The Pope denounces the 'unjustifiable' killing of Ecuadorian presidential candidate in an original English version of the text.

 

Pope Francis is vehemently denouncing the "unjustifiable" assassination of a candidate running for the presidency in Ecuador.

On Saturday, Pope Francis strongly denounced the "unjustifiable" assassination of an Ecuadorian presidential candidate and urged all Ecuadorians to collaborate towards peace.

As the first Latin American pope in history, Pope Francis conveyed his condolences through a telegram following the audacious assassination of Fernando Villavicencio during a political rally in the capital city, Quito, on Wednesday. The tragic killing of a prominent figure dedicated to combating crime and corruption has shifted global attention towards Ecuador's surge in violent deaths and its susceptibility to criminal activities.

Having visited Ecuador in 2015 as one of his earliest papal trips, the Argentine Jesuit pope expressed his prayers for the Villavicencio family and the entire population of Ecuador.

"In the face of the suffering caused by unjustifiable violence, which he condemns wholeheartedly, His Holiness urges all citizens and political factions to unite in a shared endeavor to promote peace," stated the telegram, bearing the signature of the Vatican's Secretary of State.

Ecuador has apprehended six Colombian men in connection with the murder.