Pubblichiamo di seguito il telegramma di cordoglio che Giovanni Paolo II ha inviato, tramite il Cardinale Angelo Sodano, Segretario di Stato, per le vittime del grave terremoto che ha colpito la popolazione dell’Isola di Sumatra (Indonesia):

THE MOST REVEREND JOSEPH SUWATAN

PRESIDENT OF THE INDONESIAN BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE

SADDENED BY NEWS OF THE TRAGIC EARTHQUAKE WHICH HAS CAUSED MANY VICTIMS AND GREAT DAMAGE IN SUMATRA THE HOLY FATHER EXPRESSES HEARTFELT SYMPATHY AND ASKS YOU KINDLY TO CONVEY TO THE SUFFERING POPULATION AND CIVIL AUTHORITIES THE ASSURANCE OF HIS PRAYERFUL CLOSENESS. HE INVOKES DIVINE STRENGTH AND COMFORT ON ALL AFFECTED BY THIS DISASTER ESPECIALLY THE BEREAVED FAMILIES, THE INJURED AND HOMELESS. HE EARNESTLY HOPES THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL RESPOND PROMPTLY TO THE URGENT NEEDS OF THE SURVIVORS.

CARDINAL ANGELO SODANO

SECRETARY OF STATE

[01310-02.01] [Original text: English]