Pope’s condolences for Indonesia’s quake victims

(October 2, 2009) Pope Benedict has expressed deep sadness at the disaster caused by the devastating earthquake that hit Indonesia’s Sumatra island on Wednesday. Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, sent a message on the Pope’s behalf to the Apostolic Nunzio in Indonesia, Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli saying, “His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI prays for the victims and their families, invoking eternal rest upon the deceased and divine strength and consolation on all who are suffering.” “His Holiness likewise encourages the rescue workers and all involved in providing emergency assistance to the victims of this disaster, to persevere in their efforts to bring relief, comfort and support,” Cardinal Bertone added. While the Indonesian Health Ministry put the official death toll from Wednesday's 7.6-magnitude quake at 715, the United Nations estimates as many as 1,100 may have died. On Friday, rescuers were digging feverishly through the rubble of a school and other buildings in the Indonesian port of Padang, but few victims were being found alive two days after the tremor. Aid to thousands of displaced survivors started trickling in, but rescue operations have been hampered by power blackouts and a lack of heavy equipment to shift fallen masonry.