The following is the telegram for the victims of the landslide that occurred in the department of Chocó, Colombia, sent on behalf of the Holy Father Francis by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to Bishop Mario de Jesús Álvarez Gómez, apostolic administrator of Quibdó:

Telegram

HIS EXELLENCY MARIO DE JESÚS ÁLVAREZ GÓMEZ
APOSTOLIC ADMINISTRATOR OF QUIBDÓ

THE HOLY FATHER, DEEPLY SORROWED TO LEARN OF THE NATURAL DISASTER AFFECTING THE REGION OF CHOCÓ, CLAIMING NUMEROUS VICTIMS AND CAUSING MATERIAL DAMAGE, OFFERS FERVENT PRAYERS FOR THE ETERNAL REPOSE OF THE DECEASD. LIKEWISS, HE BEGS THE LORD TO GRANT CONSOLATION TO THE BEREAVED AND TO ALL THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING IN THESE MOMENTS OF PAIN AND UNCERTAINTY, AND TO SUSTAIN WITH HIS GRACES ALL THOSE WHO ARE COMMITTED TO THE SEARCH FOR THE MISSING.

POPE FRANCIS, AS HE ASKS THE HOLY VIRGIN MARY TO INTERCEDE BEFORE HER SON JESUS CHRIST FOR ALL THOSE AFFECTED BY THIS DISASTER, AFFECTIONATELY IMPARTS TO THEM THE COMFORTING APOSTOLIC BLESSING AS A SIGN OF HIS SPIRITUAL CLOSENESS.

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
SECRETARY OF STATE