The following is the telegram of condolence for the victims of the storms and floods that hit North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate, in western Germany, sent on behalf of the Holy Father Francis by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to His Excellency Mr Frank-Walter Steinmeier, president of the Federal Republic of Germany:

Telegram

HIS EXCELLENCY

MR FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER

PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

BERLIN

IT IS WITH GREAT SADNESS THAT POPE FRANCIS HAS LEARNED OF THE SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING IN NORTH RHINE-WESTPHALIA AND RHINELAND-PALATINATE. HIS HOLINESS REMEMBERS IN PRAYER THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES, AND EXPRESSES HIS DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THEIR FAMILIES. HE PRAYS ESPECIALLY FOR THE MANY WHO ARE STILL MISSING, FOR THE INJURED AND FOR ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN HARMED OR HAVE LOST THEIR LIVELIHOOD DUE TO THE FORCE OF NATURE. POPE FRANCIS ASSURES THEM, AS WELL AS THE RELIEF WORKERS AND HELPERS, OF HIS SPIRITUAL CLOSENESS AND INVOKES GOD'S PROTECTION AND ASSISTANCE FOR ALL.

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN

SECRETARY OF STATE OF HIS HOLINESS