Papal telegram for Alabama tornado victims

Pope Benedict has expressed his condolences to the Archbishop of Mobile following the tornadoes that left hundreds dead in the southern United States.

“His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI was saddened to learn of the tragic consequences of the devastating tornado which struck Alabama and neighboring states, and he asks you to express his deep solidarity and pastoral concern to those affected by this natural catastrophe,” Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone wrote in a May 2 telegram to Archbishop Thomas Rodi. “He joins all of you in offering fervent prayers that Almighty God will grant eternal peace to those who have died and consolation and strength to the homeless, injured and suffering. Upon the local civil and religious leaders, and upon all engaged in the work of relief and rebuilding, he invokes the divine gifts of wisdom, strength and generous perseverance.”