Pubblichiamo di seguito il telegramma di cordoglio per le vittime del ciclone che ha colpito ieri le Isole Filippine, inviato dal Santo Padre Benedetto XVI al Nunzio Apostolico nelle Filippine, S.E. Mons. Fernando Filoni, tramite il Cardinale Segretario di Stato Tarcisio Bertone:

DEEPLY SADDENED BY THE TRAGIC LOSS OF LIFE RESULTING FROM THE RECENT TYPHOON IN THE EASTERN PHILIPPINES, HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI ASSURES ALL AFFECTED OF HIS CLOSENESS IN PRAYER. THE HOLY FATHER COMMENDS THE DECEASED TO THE LOVING MERCY OF ALMIGHTY GOD, AND UPON THEIR GRIEVING FAMILIES AND ALL THOSE INJURED HE INVOKES DIVINE STRENGTH AND COMFORT. HIS HOLINESS LIKEWISE PRAYS FOR THE RESCUE WORKERS AND ALL INVOLVED IN PROVIDING PRACTICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE VICTIMS OF THIS DISASTER, ENCOURAGING THEM TO PERSEVERE IN THEIR EFFORTS TO BRING RELIEF AND SUPPORT.

CARDINAL TARCISIO BERTONE
SECRETARY OF STATE

[01745-02.02] [Original text: English]