Pubblichiamo di seguito il telegramma di cordoglio per le vittime del devastante terremoto e tsunami che ha colpito oggi il Giappone, inviato dal Santo Padre Benedetto XVI, tramite il Cardinale Segretario di Stato Tarcisio Bertone, a S.E. Mons. Leo Jun Ikenaga, S.I., Presidente della Conferenza Episcopale Giapponese:

THE MOST REVEREND LEO JUN IKENAGA PRESIDENT
CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE OF JAPAN

DEEPLY SADDENED BY THE SUDDEN AND TRAGIC EFFECTS OF THE MAJOR EARTHQUAKE AND CONSEQUENT TSUNAMIS WHICH HAVE STRUCK JAPAN S NORTH-EASTERN COASTAL REGIONS, HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI ASSURES ALL WHO HAVE BEEN AFFLICTED OF HIS CLOSENESS AT THIS DIFFICULT TIME. HE PRAYS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED, AND UPON THEIR GRIEVING FAMILIES AND FRIENDS HE INVOKES DIVINE BLESSINGS OF STRENGTH AND CONSOLATION. THE HOLY FATHER ALSO EXPRESSES HIS PRAYERFUL SOLIDARITY WITH ALL THOSE PROVIDING RESCUE, RELIEF AND SUPPORT TO THE VICTIMS OF THIS DISASTER.

CARDINAL TARCISIO BERTONE
SECRETARY OF STATE

[00375-02.01] [Original text: English]

[B0148-XX.01]