Pope’s sadness over Rio de Janeiro violence, death

(November 29, 2010) Pope Benedict has expressed sadness over violence and death in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro city with government forces trying to flush out drug gang members from the slums to prepare for the hosting of the 2016 Olympic Games in the city. Writing on behalf of the Pope, Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone sent a message to Archbishop Orani João Tempesta of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro saying the Holy Father is following with profound sorrow the grave conflicts and violence these days in Rio de Janeiro, especially in the Vila Cruzeiro slum. The drug gangs reacted violently to the campaign a week ago, staging mass robberies of motorists on key highways, burning more than 100 buses and cars, and shooting up police outposts. The government counterattacked with hundreds of soldiers and thousands of police in armoured vehicles, first driving gangsters from the Vila Cruzeiro slum on Thursday, then moving on to neighbouring Alemao. At least 36 people, mostly suspected drug traffickers, died during the raids. Cardinal Bertone wrote, “the Pontiff assures his prayers for the dead and their families and urges authorities to end the disorder while encouraging restoration of respect for law and the common good.”