The following is the telegram sent on behalf of the Holy Father Leo XIV by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, to His Eminence Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-Yan, S.J., bishop of Hong Kong, for the victims of the fire in the Tai Po district of Hong Kong:

Telegram

HIS EMINENCE CARDINAL STEPHEN CHOW SAU-YAN, SJ
BISHOP OF HONG KONG

HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV WAS SADDENED TO BE INFORMED OF THE FIRE THAT ENGULFED NUMEROUS APARTMENT BUILDINGS IN THE TAI PO DISTRICT OF HONG KONG, AND HE SENDS THE ASSURANCE OF HIS SPIRITUAL SOLIDARITY TO ALL THOSE SUFFERING FROM THE EFFECTS OF THIS CALAMITY, ESPECIALLY THE INJURED AND THE FAMILIES WHO GRIEVE. HE LIKEWISE COMMENDS THE SOULS OF THE DECEASED TO THE LOVING MERCY OF THE ALMIGHTY, AND OFFERS PRAYERS FOR THE EMERGENCY PERSONNEL WHO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND SEARCH FOR THOSE WHO ARE STILL MISSING. UPON ALL, HIS HOLINESS INVOKES THE DIVINE BLESSINGS OF STRENGTH, CONSOLATION AND PEACE.

CARDINAL PIETRO PAROLIN
SECRETARY OF STATE