Three relatives of pope killed in Argentina accident

Pope Francis, center, greets the faithfuls from his popemobile car upon his arrival at the Holy Mass at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014. Hundreds of thousands of people have turned out for one of the highlights of Pope Francis’ trip to South Korea: a beatification Mass for 124 Koreans killed for their faith over two centuries ago. AP/Issei Kato

BUENOS AIRES — Three relatives of Pope Francis, two great nephews and their mother, have been killed in a traffic accident in Argentina, police said Tuesday.

The dead include a baby of eight months and a two-year-old toddler, police commissioner Carina Ferreyra said. Their father, the pope’s nephew Horacio Bergoglio, is in serious condition, she told AFP.

The accident happened after midnight in the central province of Cordoba when the family was traveling on a highway.

For reasons that are under investigation the car hit a truck from behind.

The pope’s nephew has been hospitalized with multiple injuries. Official details of his condition have not been released.

He is the son of Alberto, the pope’s late brother.

The accident happened some 550 kilometers (340 miles) northwest of the capital Buenos Aires near the city of James Craik.