Pope sends condolences to victims
of Albania quake
 |
| Survivors of the earthquake in Albania in a temporary shelter in the city of Durres (ANSA) |
On behalf of Pope Francis, the Cardinal Secretary of State,
Pietro Parolin, sends a telegram of condolence to victims of Tuesday's
earthquake in Albania.
By Vatican News
Pope Francis has sent his “heartfelt condolences” to
survivors of the earthquake that struck Albania early Tuesday morning.
In a telegram addressed to the Ilir Meta, the president of
Albania, the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin says the Holy
Father is praying for the souls of those who died in the disaster, and “assures
the injured and all those affected by this disaster of his closeness in
prayer”.
Pope Francis is also praying for “emergency personnel in
their relief efforts”.
At least 21 people were killed when the most powerful
earthquake to strike Albania in decades shook the capital Tirana and the
country's west and north on Tuesday, tearing down buildings and burying
residents under rubble.
Residents, some carrying babies, fled apartment buildings in
Tirana and the western port of Durres after the 6.4 magnitude quake struck
shortly before 4 a.m. local time.
The Balkan country was jolted by 100 aftershocks after the
main tremor, two of them of magnitude 5, testing strained nerves.
Full text of the telegram sent by Cardinal Pietro
Parolin:
His Excellency Ilir Meta
President of the Republic of Albania
President of the Republic of Albania
Tirana
His Holiness Pope Francis sends heartfelt condolences to
Your Excellency and to the families of those who have died following the
earthquake that struck your country. Commending the souls of the deceased to
God’s mercy, he assures the injured and all those affected by this disaster of
his closeness in prayer. Upon the emergency personnel in their relief efforts,
His Holiness invokes blessings of strength, and he entrusts the people of
Albania to the loving providence of the Almighty.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin
Secretary of State
Secretary of State
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