Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Pope praying for Iranian earthquake victims

At the end of today's General Audience, Pope Francis appealed to the faithful who were present in Saint Peter's Square, asking them to pray for the victims of the earthquake that struck Iran and Pakistan yesterday.


A 7.8 magnitude quake struck the border between the two countries, killing 34 people and injuring almost 80 in the Mashkel district of Balochistan province in Pakistan. There have not yet been any reports of causalities or damages in Iran.

According to Vatican Radio, seismologists have said that the earthquake was the strongest to hit Iran in over 50 years. Towards the end of his address, Pope Benedict stated that he learned with sadness of the quake that brought death, suffering, and destruction.

I raise a prayer to God for the victims and for all those who are in pain and I wish to express my closeness to the Iranian and the Pakistani people, the Holy Father said.

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