Pope Benedict’s message for the funeral of Italy’s quake victims

(April 10, 2009) Pope Benedict XVI has sent a message of comfort and hope to the people of the central Italian region of Abruzzo who on Good Friday buried their dead at a state funeral. On behalf of the Pope, Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, presided over a funeral Mass on Good Friday for the earthquake victims in the regional capital, L’Aquila.
Thousands of mourners gathered before 205 coffins, many of them covered by flowers and photos of the dead, laid out in rows on the parade ground of a police academy in L'Aquila, the worst hit by Monday's 6.3 magnitude quake. The death toll of Italy’s worst earthquake in three decades climbed to 289 as of Friday morning.
As a sign of his spiritual participation in the sorrow of the quake-victims, Pope Benedict had sent Cardinal Bertone and his personal secretary, Msgr. Georg Gainswein to take part in the funeral Mass. On Good Friday, that commemorates Jesus' death on the Cross, Church liturgical norms allow no Mass on Good Friday, but by special dispensation a funeral Mass was allowed on this occasion. Present at the mass were, among others, Italian president, Giorgio Napolitano and prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi.
At the start of the Mass, Msgr. Gainswein read Pope Benedict’s message in Italian. Here is a translation of the message in English:
In these dramatic hours in which an immense tragedy has befallen this land, I feel present among you spiritually to share your anguish, imploring from God eternal rest for the victims, quick recovery for the injured and the courage for all to continue hoping without giving in to despair. I have asked my Secretary of State to come to preside over this special celebration in which the Christian community comes close around their dead in order to pay them their final homage. I entrust him (Card. Bertone), and my private secretary (Msgr.Gaenswein), the task of going there personally, as an expression of my heartfelt participation in the mourning of those weeping for their dear ones overwhelmed by the tragedy.
In times like these, the source of light and hope is faith, which speaks to us during these days when we contemplate about the suffering of the Son of God made man for us. May his passion, his death and his resurrection be for all a source of comfort and open the hearts of everyone in the contemplation of that life where "there will be no more death, and no more mourning or sadness for the old order of things has passed away." (Rev 21:4).
I am sure that with the commitment of all we can, right up to now, meet the most urgent needs. The violence of the earthquake has created situations of unusual difficulty. I have been following the developments of the devastating terrestrial phenomenon from the first shock of the earthquake, which was felt even in the Vatican, and I gladly noted the manifestation of a growing wave of solidarity, because of which was organized the first aid, in view of an ever more effective action by state, church institutions as well as individuals.
The Holy See wishes to do its part together with parishes, religious institutes and lay groups. This is the moment of commitment, in tune with state organizations that are already working admirably well. Only solidarity can help overcome such painful trials.
I entrust persons and families involved in this tragedy to the Blessed Virgin, and through her maternal intercession, I ask the Lord to wipe away every tear and soothe every wound while I send to each a special comforting Apostolic Blessing.
After reading the Pope's message, Msgr. Gainswein showed the people the holy oils that Pope Bendict sent to Archbishop Giuseppe Molinari of Aquila. The oils were blessed by the Pope the previous day at Holy Thursday's Chrism Mass in St. Peter's Basilica. Because of the difficult situation in L'Aquila the archbishop was unable to gather his priests faithful to celebrate the Chris Mass on Holy Thursday.