The following is the telegram of condolence for the victims of the landslides and floods caused by the heavy rains that have hit the mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil, sent on behalf of the Holy Father Francis by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to Bishop Gregório Paixão Neto, O.S.B., of Petrópolis:

Telegram

THE HOLY FATHER, UPON LEARNING WITH DEEP SORROW OF THE TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES OF THE LANDSLIDE IN THIS CITY, ENTRUSTS THE BISHOP TO CONVEY TO THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS HIS CONDOLENCES AND HIS PARTICIPATION IN THE GRIEF OF ALL THOSE WHO ARE BEREAVED OR WHO HAVE BEEN DEPRIVED OF THEIR POSSESSIONS. ASKING GOD, THE FATHER OF MERCY, FOR ETERNAL REPOSE FOR THE DECEASED, COMFORT FOR THE VICTIMS FOR WHOM HE WISHES A SPEEDY RECOVERY, AND THE SERENITY AND CONSOLATION OF CHRISTIAN HOPE FOR ALL THOSE AFFECTED BY THIS PAINFUL ORDEAL, HE SENDS HIS APOSTOLIC BLESSING TO ALL THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING AND THOSE WHO SEEK TO ALLEVIATE THEIR SUFFERINGS.

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN

SECRETARY OF STATE OF HIS HOLINESS