Pope’s condolences for victims of Italy’s earthquake

(April 6, 2009) Pope Benedict XVI has expressed his closeness with the people in central Italy which was hit by a powerful earthquake early Monday morning. At least 50 people were reported killed and some 50,000 made homeless by the quake which Italy's National Institute of Geophysics measured at 5.8 on the Richter scale. The earthquake's epicenter was about 110 kilometres northeast of Rome near the 13^th century city of Aquila. Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone sent a message on the Pope’s behalf to Archbishop Giuseppe Molinari of Aquila, saying the Holy Father was filled with consternation on hearing of the dramatic news of the violent earthquake that hit the territory of the archdiocese. The Pope urged Archbishop Moninari to convey the “sentiments of his close participation in the pain of the dear population hit by the tragic event.” While assuring his fervent prayers for the victims, especially children, the Pope invoked the Lord’s comfort on their families. He offered words of encouragement to survivors and blessings on those engaged in rescue operations.