Pope’s sadness for N. African migrants' shipwreck

(April 08, 2011) Pope Benedict XVI is praying for migrants who lose their lives fleeing poverty and violence, the Vatican said on Thursday, the day after a boat capsized off the Italian coast and left some 250 people presumed dead. The ship was carrying about 300 migrants from Libya when it capsized about 64 kilometres off the Italian coast of the tiny island of Lampedusa. About 50 people were rescued, and the rest are unaccounted for and presumed dead. Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi said Wednesday's tragedy had “greatly struck” the pontiff who is following the situation of migrants with concern. He said the Holy Father prays for all people “who lose their lives in the terrible journey to flee the poverty, injustice and violence afflicting them.” The Jesuit priest noted that some of the victims of the Mediterranean tragedy were Eritrean Catholics who had participated in the activities of the Catholic community in Libya. He said the “Holy Father and the whole Church were praying for all the victims, who are from every nationality and condition, including women and children, who lose their lives in the terrible journey to flee situations of poverty or injustice or violence that afflicts them, in search of protection, welcome and conditions of life that are more human."