Three relatives of Pope Francis have died in a car crash in Argentina's Cordoba province.

The pope's nephew, Emanuel Bergoglio, is in serious condition after ramming into the back of a truck on the highway just after midnight.

Bergoglio's wife and two children were killed.

In Buenos Aires, Argentine Cabinet Chief Jorge Capitanich offered his sympathies to the Argentine pope.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ARGENTINE CABINET CHIEF JORGE CAPITANICH, SAYING:

"We want to express our condolences to his Holiness, Pope Francis for his family members and the accident they had. This upsets us deeply and we want to accompany him in the pain and in daily prayer."

The Vatican's official broadcasting service says Pope Francis -- just home from a trip to South Korea - is deeply grieved.