Pope Francis prepares to take part in an open-air mass at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul on August 16, 2014.
Video Ad Feedback
Car crash kills Pope's relatives
01:16 - Source: CNN

Story highlights

Police: A car driven by the Pope's nephew struck a truck on a highway in Cordoba, Argentina

The crash killed the nephew's sons and wife, police say

The Pope's nephew, Emanuel Bergoglio, is in critical condition

CNN  — 

Two of Pope Francis’ grandnephews and the boys’ mother were killed early Tuesday in a car crash in the pontiff’s homeland of Argentina, police said.

The pontiff’s nephew, Emanuel Horacio Bergoglio, was critically injured in the crash on a highway in Cordoba province, said Carina Ferreyra, a Cordoba provincial police spokeswoman.

A car driven by Bergoglio struck a truck about 12:30 a.m., killing his sons – Jose Bergoglio, 8 months, and Antonio Bergoglio, 2 – and his wife, Valeria Carmona, 36.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos reads to Pope Francis, as they meet at the Vatican, Friday, Dec. 16, 2016, the words "The bullets have written our past, education will write our future" engraved on a pen made from a recycled bullet once used in the civil war between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The pen was later used to sign the peace agreements between the parties earlier this year. Santos, who was awarded the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end the longest running conflict in the region, presented Pope Francis with the pen. (Vincenzo Pinto /Pool Photo via AP)
Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos reads to Pope Francis, as they meet at the Vatican, Friday, Dec. 16, 2016, the words "The bullets have written our past, education will write our future" engraved on a pen made from a recycled bullet once used in the civil war between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The pen was later used to sign the peace agreements between the parties earlier this year. Santos, who was awarded the 2016 Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end the longest running conflict in the region, presented Pope Francis with the pen. (Vincenzo Pinto /Pool Photo via AP)
Vincenzo Pinto/AP
gallery

Related gallery Pope Francis

Pope Francis waves to South Koreans from inside a vehicle near the Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, South Korea, on Monday, August 18.
Pope Francis waves to South Koreans from inside a vehicle near the Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, South Korea, on Monday, August 18.
Kim Ju-sung/Yonhap/AP
gallery

Related gallery Pope Francis visits South Korea

Emanuel Bergoglio, 35, was taken to a hospital in Cordoba, where he was in critical condition Tuesday morning, Ferreyra said.

5 ways the Pope is tougher than you think

Pope Francis was “deeply hurt” by news of the crash, a Vatican spokesman said.

“The Pope has been informed of the tragic accident that took place in Argentina involving some of his family members,” said the spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi. “He is deeply hurt.

“He asks to all of those who participate in his sorrow to be with him in prayers.”

Pope Francis, the former Jorge Mario Bergoglio, served the Roman Catholic Church in Argentina for 43 years, including 15 years as archbishop of Buenos Aires. He succeeded Pope Benedict XVI as leader of the church in March 2013.

The 77-year-old pontiff recently visited South Korea – the first papal visit to the country in 25 years.

The Pope’s first year in 60 seconds

CNN’s Jason Hanna and Elwyn Lopez reported and wrote from Atlanta. CNN’s Hada Messia contributed to this report from Rome.