Pubblichiamo di seguito il telegramma di cordoglio per le vittime della gigantesca frana che ha seppellito due interi villaggi nelle Isole Filippine, inviato dal Santo Padre Benedetto XVI al Vescovo di Maasin, S.E. Mons. Precioso D. Cantillas, tramite il Cardinale Angelo Sodano, Segretario di Stato:

DEAR BISHOP CANTILLAS,

DEEPLY SADDENED BY NEWS OF THE TRAGIC LANDSLIDE WHICH HAS DESTROYED THE VILLAGE OF GUINSAUGON, THE HOLY FATHER OFFERS FERVENT PRAYERS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED AND HE INVOKES DIVINE CONSOLATION UPON THOSE WHO MOURN. HE PRAYS THAT THE RELIEF EFFORT WILL BE SWIFT AND GENEROUS IN ITS RESPONSE TO THE DISASTER AND ASKS THE LORD TO GRANT COURAGE AND STRENGTH TO ALL INVOLVED IN THE TASK OF CARING FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR HOMES. ENTRUSTING YOU AND YOUR PEOPLE TO THE PROTECTION OF MARY, COMFORT OF THE AFFLICTED, HE CORDIALLY IMPARTS HIS APOSTOLIC BLESSING AS A PLEDGE OF STRENGTH AND PEACE IN THE LORD.

CARDINAL ANGELO SODANO SECRETARY OF STATE

[00245-02.02] [Original text: English]