In the aftermath of the earthquake that recently struck the territory of the dioceses
of Carpi, Mantua, Modena and Ferrara-Comacchio-Nonantola, Pope Benedict, through the
Pontifical Council Cor Unum, wanted to send a special donation of €100,000,
to be divided between the dioceses affected by the disaster, in support of the relief
work undertaken by the Catholic Church for the victims. This donation is intended
to be a concrete expression of the feelings of spiritual closeness and paternal solicitude
of the Holy Father for the people affected by the earthquake.