Pope sends condolences for Venezuelan victims of prison riots
(Vatican Radio) On behalf of Pope Benedict XVI, Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal
Tarcisio Bertone, has sent a telegramme of condolences to Venezuelan Archbishop Antonio
José Lopez Castillo following the tragic incidents that took place this week at the
Uribana Prison in Venezuela where 61 people died and over 100 were injured in two
days of gunfights and rioting.
Beneath find the full text translated by Vatican
Radio
To Bishop Antonio José López Castillo, Archbishop of Barquisimeto His
Holiness Benedict XVI, deeply saddened by the news of the tragic incidents at the
Uribana Prison in Lara State, which have caused numerous victims, raises prayers of
suffrage to the Lord for the eternal rest of the deceased, expresses his deepest sympathy
and spiritual closeness to the families of the victims, and prays for a speedy and
full recovery of the wounded. Likewise, the Pope encourages all institutions and persons
involved to continue working in a spirit of collaboration and good will to overcome
the problems so as to avoid future repetition of such dramatic events. With these
sentiments, the Pope invokes the loving protection of Mary and affectionately imparts
his Apostolic Blessing as a sign of hope and consolation in this time of sadness.