King Charles III of the United Kingdom, head of state of Canada, expressed his “deep sadness” along with Queen Camilla on Sunday, after a driver plowed into a crowd on Saturday in Vancouver during a street festival, leaving nine dead.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those whose lives have been shattered by this terrible tragedy, and we offer our deepest condolences during this time of distress for so many in Canada,” the monarch wrote in a message on X.

The multiple-hit-and-run incident occurred on Saturday after 8:00 pm (03:00 GMT Sunday) when members of the Filipino community were celebrating Lapu Lapu Day, authorities reported.

The street festival commemorates a 16th-century Filipino anti-colonial leader and took place the weekend before the Canadian elections. “At this time, we can confirm that nine people have died after a man ran into a crowd at the Lapu Lapu Festival last night,” the police said on X.

Nine people were killed when a driver ran over a crowd during a street festival in the Canadian city of Vancouver, the police reported.

“Several people have died and several others were injured,” the Vancouver police said on X. “The driver is in custody,” they added. The incident occurred when members of the Filipino community gathered to celebrate Lapu Lapu Day, as posted on X by Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim.

The festival commemorates a 16th-century Filipino anti-colonial leader.

“Our thoughts are with everyone affected and with Vancouver’s Filipino community during this incredibly difficult time,” added Sim.

Several cardinals who will participate in the conclave to elect Pope Francis’ successor said they are approaching the mission with “apprehension,” “responsibility,” and “hope,” while also beginning to outline the profile of the next pope: a “unifier.”

The 12-year pontificate of the first Latin American pope was marked by reforms and a simple style, which earned him strong opposition from the Church’s most conservative sectors, with his predecessor Benedict XVI as a symbol of that resistance.
“The task before us these days is greater than us, and yet it is a duty we must fulfill,” summarized French Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline during a mass in Rome on Thursday evening.

A few meters away, Luxembourg Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich admitted to journalists that he approaches the conclave “with a certain apprehension,” but also with “great hope.”

“We feel very small. We must make decisions for the entire Church, so please pray for us,” added the Jesuit cardinal, who was a close advisor to the Argentine pontiff.
He estimated that the conclave would “probably” begin on May 5 or 6, after the nine-day mourning period at the Vatican known as the Novendiales.