Closeness in Prayer for Typhoon Victims

(01 Dec 2006) Pope Benedict has expressed his sorrow for the victims of a typhoon that hit the eastern Philippines. The telegramme sent on behalf of the Holy Father by Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone reads as follows:

The Most Reverend Fernando Filoni
Apostolic Nuncio in the Philippines
MANILA
Your Excellency,

I would ask you kindly to transmit the following message to the appropriate ecclesiastical and civil authorities:

“DEEPLY SADDENED BY THE TRAGIC LOSS OF LIFE RESULTING FROM THE RECENT TYPHOON IN THE EASTERN PHILIPPINES, HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI ASSURES ALL AFFECTED OF HIS CLOSENESS IN PRAYER. THE HOLY FATHER COMMENDS THE DECEASED TO THE LOVING MERCY OF ALMIGHTY GOD, AND UPON THEIR GRIEVING FAMILIES AND ALL THOSE INJURED HE INVOKES DIVINE STRENGTH AND COMFORT. HIS HOLINESS LIKEWISE PRAYS FOR THE RESCUE WORKERS AND ALL INVOLVED IN PROVIDING PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE VICTIMS OF THIS DISASTER, ENCOURAGING THEM TO PERSEVERE IN THEIR EFFORTS TO BRING RELIEF AND SUPPORT.
CARDINAL TARCISIO BERTONE
SECRETARY OF STATE”.