Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – On the day of the funeral of some of the Abruzzo earthquake victims, on 10 April, Benedict XVI expressed his closeness to the Archbishop of L'Aquila with a message read by the Pope's personal secretary Mgr Georg Gänswein, who travelled to L'Aquila to be present for the service: “At this dramatic hour after a terrible tragedy has struck this humble land, I am spiritually among you to share your anguish and to implore God for the eternal rest of the victims, the speedy recovery of the injured and for all the courage to hope and not to despair”. “At times such as these– the Pope said – a source of light and hope is the faith, which in these days speaks of the suffering undergone by the Son of God made man for us: may his passion, death and resurrection be a source of comfort and open hearts to contemplate the life to come when ‘there will be no death, no mourning, no crying or anguish because the old things have passed’”. The Pontiff praised the great solidarity demonstrated by the government, ecclesial institutions and ordinary citizens for organising rescue work and assistance: “Now is the time for commitment, in harmony with government entities, already working admirably. Only solidarity can help overcome such painful events”. After entrusting to Our Lady those affected by the tragedy, the Holy Father concluded: “I pray the Lord will wipe away every tear and heal every wound, and to each and all I send the comfort of a special Apostolic Blessing ”. (Agenzia Fides 10/4/2009, righe 15, parole 269)
