Pubblichiamo di seguito il telegramma di cordoglio per le vittime degli scontri in Nigeria, inviato ieri dal Santo Padre Benedetto XVI alle Autorità ecclesiastiche e civili del Paese, tramite il Cardinale Angelo Sodano, Segretario di Stato:

SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES OF THE RECENT VIOLENT PROTESTS IN NORTHERN NIGERIA, HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI ASSURES ALL THOSE AFFECTED OF HIS CLOSENESS IN PRAYER AND COMMENDS THE LATE REVEREND FATHER MICHAEL GAJERE AND ALL THE DECEASED TO THE LOVING MERCY OF THE ALMIGHTY. UPON THEIR GRIEVING FAMILIES THE HOLY FATHER INVOKES DIVINE BLESSINGS OF STRENGTH AND CONSOLATION. HE LIKEWISE PRAYS FOR ALL INVOLVED IN PROVIDING SECURITY, ENCOURAGING THEM IN THEIR EFFORTS TO ENSURE PEACE AND TO PROMOTE THE RULE OF LAW FOR WHICH ALL PEOPLE OF GOODWILL LONG.

CARDINAL ANGELO SODANO

SECRETARY OF STATE

[00267-02.02] [Original text: English]