Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - In a telegramme sent on his behalf by Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone S.D.B the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI expressed condolences to Archbishop Odilo Pedro Scherer of Sao Paolo Brazil, for the air accident on July 17 at the São Paulo airport of Congonhas which cost the lives of more than 200 people. Given below is the text of the telegramme. "The Holy Father, distressed by the hundreds of victims of the air disaster in Sao Paolo, which he visited not long ago, wishes to give his most heartfelt condolences to all their relatives. He gives assurances of his prayers for the dead and invokes the strength and consolation of God for the injured and for all those affected by this tragedy, granting everyone, as a sign of his spiritual closeness, his consoling apostolic blessing". (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 19/7/2007 ; righe 10, parole 150)
