The following is the telegram of condolence for the victims of the landslide in Papua New Guinea, sent on behalf of the Holy Father Francis by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin to the apostolic nuncio, Archbishop Mauro Lalli:

Telegram of the Holy Father

HIS EXCELLENCY MAURO LALLI
APOSTOLIC NUNCIO IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA
PORT MORESBY

HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS WAS DEEPLY SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE DEVASTATION CAUSED BY THE LANDSLIDE IN THE ENGA PROVINCE OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA, AND HE ASSURES EVERYONE AFFECTED BY THIS DISASTER OF HIS SPIRITUAL CLOSENESS.

PRAYING ESPECIALLY FOR THE DEAD, THOSE WHO MOURN THEIR LOSS, AND FOR THE RESCUE OF THE MANY PERSONS STILL MISSING, HIS HOLINESS OFFERS ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE CIVIL AUTHORITIES AND EMERGENCY PERSONNEL AS THEY CONTINUE THEIR RELIEF EFFORTS, AND WILLINGLY INVOKES UPON ALL THE DIVINE BLESSINGS OF CONSOLATION AND STRENGTH.

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
SECRETARY OF STATE